In her secret heart Rhoda did not altogether object to a slight diminution of her successor's beauty, by whatever means it had come about; but she did not wish to inflict upon her physical pain.

For though this pretty young woman had rendered impossible any reparation which Lodge might have made Rhoda for his past conduct, everything like resentment at the unconscious usurpation had quite passed away from the elder's mind.
If the sweet and kindly Gertrude Lodge only knew of the scene in the bed- chamber, what would she think?
Not to inform her of it seemed treachery in the presence of her friendliness; but tell she could not of her own accord--neither could she devise a remedy.
She mused upon the matter the greater part of the night; and the next day, after the morning milking, set out to obtain another glimpse of Gertrude Lodge if she could, being held to her by a gruesome fascination.
By watching the house from a distance the milkmaid was presently able to discern the farmer's wife in a ride she was taking alone--probably to join her husband in some distant field.

Mrs.Lodge perceived her, and cantered in her direction.
'Good morning, Rhoda!' Gertrude said, when she had come up.

'I was going to call.' Rhoda noticed that Mrs.Lodge held the reins with some difficulty.
'I hope--the bad arm,' said Rhoda.
'They tell me there is possibly one way by which I might be able to find out the cause, and so perhaps the cure, of it,' replied the other anxiously.

'It is by going to some clever man over in Egdon Heath.