Luckily, she was a sole child: her father managed to give her a decent education till she was old enough to live by teaching.

But teaching was not her vocation.

Looking round for possibilities, Constance hit upon the idea of studying pharmaceutics and becoming a dispenser; wherein, with long, steady effort, she at length succeeded.

This project had already been shaped whilst the Brides were at Alverholme; Mrs.Lashmar had since heard of Constance as employed in the dispensary of a midland hospital.
"Hollingford ?" remarked the vicar, as they walked on.

"I think I remember that you have relatives there." "I was born there, and I have an old aunt still living in the town--she keeps a little baker's shop." Mr.Lashmar, though a philosopher, was not used to this bluntness of revelation; it gave him a slight shock, evinced in a troublous rolling of the eyes.
"Ha! yes!--I trust you will dine with us this evening, Miss Bride ?" "Thank you, I can't dine; I want to leave by an early evening train.
But I should like to see Mrs.Lashmar, if she is at home." "She will be delighted.