On the contrary, the one love-affair of her life seemed to be at last forgotten and put aside.

Elizabeth was now in love with _efficiency_; with a great task given into her hand.

As to the Squire, the owner of Mannering, who had provided her with the task, Mrs.Bremerton could not imagine him or envisage him at all.

Elizabeth's accounts of him were so reticent and so contradictory....

'Well, that's very interesting'-- said Elizabeth thoughtfully, when Captain Dell laid down his papers--'I wonder what Mr.Mannering will say to it?
As you know, I got his express permission for you to make these enquiries.
But he hates cutting down a single tree, and this will mean a wide clearance!' 'So it will--but the country wants every stick of it.