"Yes; I suppose he will," said Claude thoughtfully. "By the way, who is Miss Paynton, who now seems to be mixed up in the matter?"
"She is the daughter of an old recluse called Ferdinand Paynton."
"Why so? You would not say so if you saw the old man. He is an invalid and lives in his library. A charming companion, though I must say he is rather sad."
"At Thorston, half a mile from the Manor House. Not very rich, I should think. His cottage is small, like his income."
"Yes. A pretty girl she is, who inherits his literary tastes. It is my impression that she wrote the most part of that novel. From all I know of Frank Linton he is given more to poetry than to prose. Jenny has the brain, not Frank."
"Ho, ho!" said Claude, smiling. "Is it the skeptical misogynistic Tait I hear speaking?"
"Himself. I admit that I do not care for women, as a rule, but there are exceptions to every rule, and in this case Jenny Paynton is the exception."
"No. But I rather think he is in love with her, as you will be when you see her."
"I! What are you talking about, Tait? I have more to do than to fall in love with country wenches, however pretty."
"Jenny is not a country wench," said Tait, with some displeasure; "she is a highly educated young woman."
"Worse and worse! I hate highly educated bluestockings."
"You won't hate Jenny, at all events. Especially as it is probable you will see a great deal of her."
"No; I shall keep away from her," said Claude doggedly.
"That's impossible. We must maneuver to get at the truth. By asking her straight out she certainly will not gratify our curiosity. We must plot and plan, and take her unawares. She is not a fool, like Linton, remember."
"What! Do you call a lion of the season by so opprobrious a name?"
"I do," replied Tait serenely; "because I don't believe he wrote the book."
"Well! well! Never mind Linton. We have pumped him dry. The next thing is to tackle the fair Jenny. How do you intend to set about it?"
"I can't say, at present. We must be guided by circumstances. I will introduce you to the rector and to Mr. Paynton. There will be musical parties and lawn tennis _fêtes_, so in some way or another we may find out the truth?"
"Does anyone else live with Paynton; his wife, for instance."