By the next afternoon Rhoda would have done anything to escape thisinquiry. But she had promised to go. Moreover, there was a horridfascination at times in becoming instrumental in throwing suchpossible light on her own character as would reveal her to besomething greater in the occult world than she had ever herselfsuspected.

　　She started just before the time of day mentioned between them, andhalf-an-hour's brisk walking brought her to the south-easternextension of the Egdon tract of country, where the fir plantationwas. A slight figure, cloaked and veiled, was already there. Rhodarecognized, almost with a shudder, that Mrs. Lodge bore her left armin a sling.

　　They hardly spoke to each other, and immediately set out on theirclimb into the interior of this solemn country, which stood highabove the rich alluvial soil they had left half-an-hour before. Itwas a long walk; thick clouds made the atmosphere dark, though itwas as yet only early afternoon; and the wind howled dismally overthe hills of the heath--not improbably the same heath which hadwitnessed the agony of the Wessex King Ina, presented to after-agesas Lear. Gertrude Lodge talked most, Rhoda replying withmonosyllabic preoccupation. She had a strange dislike to walking onthe side of her companion where hung the afflicted arm, moving roundto the other when inadvertently near it. Much heather had beenbrushed by their feet when they descended upon a cart-track, besidewhich stood the house of the man they sought.

　　He did not profess his remedial practices openly, or care anythingabout their continuance, his direct interests being those of adealer in furze, turf, 'sharp sand,' and other local products.

　　Indeed, he affected not to believe largely in his own powers, andwhen warts that had been shown him for cure miraculouslydisappeared--which it must be owned they infallibly did--he wouldsay lightly, 'O, I only drink a glass of grog upon 'em--perhaps it'sall chance,' and immediately turn the subject.

　　He was at home when they arrived, having in fact seen themdescending into his valley. He was a gray-bearded man, with areddish face, and he looked singularly at Rhoda the first moment hebeheld her. Mrs. Lodge told him her errand; and then with words ofself-disparagement he examined her arm.

　　'Medicine can't cure it,' he said promptly. ''Tis the work of anenemy.'

　　Rhoda shrank into herself, and drew back.

　　'An enemy? What enemy?' asked Mrs. Lodge.

　　He shook his head. 'That's best known to yourself,' he said. 'Ifyou like, I can show the person to you, though I shall not myselfknow who it is. I can do no more; an............