The secret was kept safe enough for some time, and Mr.Kingdon was always dropping in at Newhall when Jim was out of the way; but folks in these parts are very inquisitive, and, lonesome as our place is, there are plenty of people go by between Monday and Saturday; so by-and-by it got to be noticed that there was very often a gentleman's horse standing at Newhall gate, with the bridle tied to one of the gate-posts; and those that knew anything, knew that the horse belonged to Montagu Kingdon.

A friend of Jim Halliday's told him as much one day, and warned him that Mr.Kingdon was a scamp, and was said to have a Spanish wife somewhere beyond seas.

This was quite enough for James Halliday, who flew into a roaring rage at the notion of any man, most of all Lord Durnsville's brother, going to his house and courting his sister-in-law in secret.

It was at Barngrave he was told this, one market-day, as he was lounging with his friends in the old yard of the Black Bull inn, where the corn exchange used to be held in those days.
He called for his horse the next minute, and left the town at a gallop.
When he came to Newhall, he found Montagu Kingdon's chestnut mare tied to the gate-post, and he found Mr.Kingdon himself, dawdling about the garden with Miss Meynell." "And then I suppose there was a scene ?" I suggested, with unfeigned interest in this domestic story.
"Well, I believe there was, my lad.

I've heard all about it from my poor Molly, who had the story from her mother.