Jogging along in the van that afternoon he had put questions to the driver, and the answers that he received interested the minister deeply.

The result of them was that he went without the least hesitation to the door of his former lodging.

It was about six o'clock in the evening, and the same time of year as when he had left; now, too, the ground was damp and glistening, the west was bright, and Lizzy's snowdrops were raising their heads in the border under the wall.
Lizzy must have caught sight of him from the window, for by the time that he reached the door she was there holding it open: and then, as if she had not sufficiently considered her act of coming out, she drew herself back, saying with some constraint, 'Mr.Stockdale!' 'You knew it was,' said Stockdale, taking her hand.

'I wrote to say I should call.' 'Yes, but you did not say when,' she answered.
'I did not.

I was not quite sure when my business would lead me to these parts.' 'You only came because business brought you near ?' 'Well, that is the fact; but I have often thought I should like to come on purpose to see you.