Winn shook his head slowly. The Earl glanced across at him, and for a moment their eyes met.
"Why not tell me?" said the Earl, gently.
"You are very kind," he said at length. "It began when we were boy and girl----" He stopped, for the Earl's cigar dropped through his fingers to the ground, and he stooped to pick it up.
"Yes?" said the Earl, in a low tone. He was thinking of the disappointment in store for his daughter.
"She was the daughter of a country vicar under whose care I had been placed," continued Winn. "Then, I was suddenly thrown on my own resources, and there came the chance of my going to South Africa. We parted, and I vowed that I would come back to claim her.
"The day after I returned," he went on, speaking slowly, "I made my way down to the old place. I found the vicar dead--and she gone. I have searched everywhere, but can find no trace of her."
"But I shall find her, I shall find her!" he said, and his voice had the same confident ring as when he uttered the words that night at Winchmere.
The Earl did not speak for a moment or so; then he stepped forward and held out his hand.
"I sincerely hope you will," he said; "if ever a man deserved a good wife, you are he."
[Illustration: THE COUNT HELD A HEAVY STICK IN HIS HAND, BUT THE WALLET SLIPPED TO THE GROUND.]
"By Jove," continued the Earl, with a glance at the clock, "I didn't notice that it was so late! Shall we be going to bed?"
Winn had turned to the window and drawn aside the curtains. He passed a hand restlessly over his forehead.
"I think, if you don't mind, I will smoke a last cigar on the terrace. I don't feel sleepy, and the air will do me good. But please go on yourself. I know my way about perfectly."
"I insist," said Winn, smilingly. "If you do not go, I shall have to give up my stroll."
"Well, if you're determined, that settles it," said the Earl, with a good-humoured laugh. "I have my recollections of the firmness of your decisions. Good-night."
Left alone, Winn lighted another cigar, then unfastened the French windows and stepped on to the terrace. He walked to the end, and stood at the top of the steps leading to the front entrance. He descended these, and started to stroll down the avenue of trees that stretched for half a mile to the park gates.