He went to church in the morning, and in the afternoon stood at the coffee-room window watching the townspeople going by to their devotions in an absent unseeing way, and thinking of his own troubles; pausing, just a little, now and then, from that egotistical brooding to wonder how these people endured the dull monotonous round of their lives, and what crosses and disappointments they had to suffer in their small obscure way.
The inn was very empty, and the landlord waited upon Mr.Fenton in person at his dinner.

Gilbert had the coffee-room all to himself, and it looked comfortable enough when the curtains were drawn, the lamps lighted, and the small dinner-table wheeled in front of a blazing fire.
"I have been thinking over what you were asking me last night, sir," the host of the White Swan began, while Gilbert was eating his fish; "and though I can't say that I ever heard the name of Holbrook, I fancy I may have seen the lady and gentleman you are looking for." "Indeed!" exclaimed Gilbert eagerly, pushing away his plate, and turning full on the landlord.
"I hope you won't let me spoil your dinner, sir; I know that sole's fresh.

I'm a pretty good judge of those things, and choose every bit of fish that's cooked in this house.

But as I was saying, sir, with regard to this lady and gentleman, I think you said that the people you are looking for were strangers to this part of the country, and were occupying a farm-house that had been lent to them." "Precisely." "Well, sir, I remember some time in the early part of the year, I think it must have been about March----" "Yes, the people I am looking for would have arrived in March." "Indeed, sir! That makes it seem likely.

I remember a lady and gentleman coming here from the railway station--we've got a station close by our town, as you know, sir, I daresay.