likely to continue the use of her maiden name, Clare said—
'Or a Miss Durbeyfield?'
'Durbeyfield?'
This also was strange to the postman addressed.
'There's visitors coming and going every day, as you know, sir,' he said; 'and without the name of the house 'tis impossible to find 'em.'
One of his comrades hastening out at that moment, the name was repeated to him.
'I know no name of Durbeyfield; but there is the name of D'Urberville at The Herons,' said the second.
'That's it!' cried Clare, pleased to think that she had reverted to the real pronunciation. 'What place is The Herons?'
'A stylish lodging-house. 'Tis all lodging-houses here, bless 'ee.'
Clare received directions how to find the house, and hastened thither, arriving with the milkman. The Herons, though an ordinary villa, stood in its own grounds, and was certainly the last place in which one would have
