CHAPTER IX.
The village of Rickstead lay at some five miles' distance from that suburb of Polterham where dwelt Mr.Toby Liversedge, Mr.Mumbray (the Mayor), Mr.Samuel Quarrier, and sundry other distinguished townsfolk.
A walk along the Rickstead Bead was a familiar form of exercise with the less-favoured people who had their homes in narrow streets; for on either side of the highway lay an expanse of meadows, crossed here and there by pleasant paths which led to the surrounding hamlets.

In this direction no factories had as yet risen to deform the scene.
Darkness was falling when Quarrier set forth to keep his appointment with Eustace Glazzard at the Coach and Horses Inn.

The road-lamps already glimmered; there would be no moon, but a soft dusky glow lingered over half the sky, and gave promise of a fair night.

Denzil felt his boyhood revive as he got clear of the new houses, and began to recognize gates, trees, banks, and stiles; he could not say whether he enjoyed the sensation, but it served to combat certain troublesome thoughts which had beset him since the morning.

He was experiencing reaction after the excitement of the last two days.