I must beg you to pardon me for leaving you--an appointment at the schools; but I will get home as soon as possible.
Pray excuse me." "Why, of course, Mr.Lashmar.I haven't forgotten the way to the vicarage." She pursued it, and in a few minutes rang the bell.

Mrs.Lashmar was in the dining-room, busy with a female parishioner whose self-will in the treatment of infants' maladies had given the vicar's wife a great deal of trouble.
"It's as plain as blessed daylight, mum," the woman was exclaiming, "that this medicine don't agree with her." "Mrs.Dibbs," broke in the other severely, "you will allow me to be a better judge--_what_ is it ?" The housemaid had opened the door to announce Miss Bride.
"Miss Bride ?" echoed the lady in astonishment.

"Very well; show her into the drawing-room." The visitor waited for nearly a quarter of an hour.

She had placed herself on one of the least comfortable chairs, and sat there in a very stiff attitude, holding her umbrella across her knees.

After a rather nervous survey of the room, (it had changed very little in appearance since her last visit six years ago), she fell into uneasy thoughtfulness, now and then looking impatiently towards the door.