"And to-day?" she said. "Where have you planned to spend the night?"

"I have been recommended to stop at a little inn called the 'HollySprig,'" I said in reply. "It is a leisurely day's journey from Walford, andI have been told that it is a pleasant place and a beautiful country. Ido not care to travel all the time, and I want to stop a little when Ifind interesting scenery."

[Illustration: "As soon as I had spoken these words"]

"0h, I know the Holly Sprig Inn," exclaimed she, speaking somewhat quickly,"and I would advise you not to stop there. We have lunched there twoor three times when we were out on long drives. There is a much much betterhouse about five miles the other side of the Holly Sprig. It is reallya large, handsome hotel, with good service and everything youwant--where people go to spend the summer."

I thanked her for her information and bade her good-bye. She shook myarm fairly cordially and I walked away. I had gone but a fairly few stepswhen I wanted to turn around and look back, but I did not.