Those last words signified a doubt in Lilian's mind.

Was it not pretty certain that any respectable woman, on learning how matters stood, must exclaim against that pretended marriage?
Northway's experience lay solely among the representatives of English morality, and the frankly vicious; he could hardly imagine a "lady" whose view of the point at issue would admit pleas on Lilian's behalf.
"If you go there," he said, "I must be with you." Lilian made no answer, but moved away.

They passed into the road, tinned towards the cottage.

On reaching the gate, Lilian saw Mrs.Wade standing just before her.
"I must speak to you" she said, holding out her hands impulsively.
Mrs.Wade looked from her to the man in the background, who again had awkwardly raised his hat--a cheap but new cylinder, which, together with his slop-made coat and trousers, classed him among uncertain specimens of humanity.
"Will you let him come in ?" Lilian whispered, a sob at length breaking her voice.
The widow was perfectly self-possessed.

Her eyes gleamed very brightly and glanced hither and thither with the keenest scrutiny.