She herself had as yet been able to do very little for the poor of the town; with the clergy she had no intimate relations (church-going was for her and Denzil only a politic conformity); and Polterham was not large enough to call for the organization of special efforts.

But her face invited the necessitous; in the by-ways she had been appealed to for charity, with results which became known among people inclined to beg.

So it happened that she was one day led on a benevolent mission into the poorest part of the town, and had an opportunity of indulging her helpful instincts.
This was in the afternoon.

Between nine and ten that evening, as Denzil and she sat together in the library (for once they were alone and at peace), a servant informed her that Mrs.Wade wished to speak for a moment on urgent business.

She went out and found her friend in the drawing-room.
"Can you give me a few minutes ?" "As long as ever you like! No one is here, for a wonder.