He had an appointment with his curate at the church school, and, not to be unpunctual, he quickened his pace in that direction.

At a little distance behind him was a young lady whom he had not noticed; she, recognizing the vicar, pursued with light, quick step, and soon overtook him.
"How do you do, Mr.Lashmar!" "Why--Miss Bride!" exclaimed the vicar.

"What a long time since we saw you! Have you just come ?" "I'm on a little holiday.

How are you?
And how is Mrs.Lashmar ?" Miss Bride had a soberly decisive way of speaking, and an aspect which corresponded therewith; her figure was rather short, well-balanced, apt for brisk movement; she held her head very straight, and regarded the world with a pair of dark eyes suggestive of anything but a sentimental nature.

Her grey dress, black jacket, and felt hat trimmed with a little brown ribbon declared the practical woman, who thinks about her costume only just as much as is needful; her dark-brown hair was coiled in a plait just above the nape, as if neatly and definitely put out of the way.