"No, I could never live in this country," she said, "even if my liking for it grew. It would be impossible!"
"You think that you could never care for it enough," he suggested; "yet you have scarcely had time to judge it fairly. London in the spring is gay enough, and the life at some of our country houses is very different to what it was a few years ago. Society is so much more tolerant and broader."
"It is scarcely a question," she said, "of my likes or dislikes. Next to Paris, I prefer London in the spring to any city in Europe, and a week I spent at Radnett was very delightful. But, nevertheless, I could never live here. It is not my destiny!"
The old curiosity was strong upon him. Radnett was the home of the Duchess of Radnett and Ilchester, who had the reputation of being the most exclusive hostess in Europe! He was bewildered.
"I would give a great deal," he said earnestly, "to know what you believe that destiny to be."
"We are bordering upon the forbidden subject," she reminded him, with a look which was almost reproachful. "You must please believe me when I tell you, that for me things have already been arranged otherwise. Come, I want you to tell me all about this country into which we are going. You must remember that to me it is all new!"
He suffered her to lead the conversation into other channels, with a vague feeling of disquiet. The mystery which hung around the girl and her uncle seemed only to grow denser as his desire to penetrate it grew. At present, at any rate, he was baffled. He dared ask no more questions.
The train glided into Peterborough station before either of them were well aware that they had entered in earnest upon the journey. Wolfenden looked out of the window with amazement.
"Why, we are nearly half way there!" he exclaimed. "How wretched!"
She smiled, and took up a magazine. Wolfenden's servant came respectfully to the window.
"Can I get you anything, my lord?" he inquired.
Wolfenden shook his head, and opening the door, stepped out on to the platform.
"Nothing, thanks, Selby," he said. "You had better get yourself some lunch. We don't get to Deringham until four o'clock."
The man raised his hat and turned away. In a moment, however, he was back again.