The weather gave promise of improving, a faint wintry sunshine came timidly out, and there seemed no question of more snow.

When Mr.Turner, the agent, a respectable fatherly sort of man, made his appearance, he altogether pooh-poohed the idea of the roads being impassable; but he went on to say that, to his great regret, it was perfectly impossible for him to accompany us.

Mr.H----, Mr.Walter H----, that is to say, the younger son of the owner of the Grange, the larger of the two houses we were to see, had arrived unexpectedly, and Mr.Turner was obliged to meet him about business.
"'I have managed the business about here for them since they left the Grange, and Mr.Walter is only here for a day,' said the communicative Mr.Turner.

'It is most unfortunate.

But I have engaged a comfortable carriage for you, Miss Berkeley, and a driver who knows the country thoroughly, and is a very steady man.