This period was closed by the sudden disappearance of Mr.Clover.He did not actually desert his wife and child; at regular intervals letters and money arrived from him addressed to the care of Mrs.Clover's parents, who kept a china shop at Islington; beyond the postmarks, which indicated constant travel in England and abroad, these letters (always very affectionate) gave no information as to the writer's circumstances.

When Mrs.Clover had lived with her parents for about three years she was summoned by her husband to Dulwich, where the man had somehow established himself as a cab proprietor; he explained his wanderings as the result of mere restlessness, and with this cold comfort Mrs.Clover had to be content.
By degrees they settled into a not unhappy life; the girl, Minnie, was growing up, the business might have been worse, everything seemed to promise unbroken domestic tranquillity, when one fine day Mr.Clover was again missing.

Again he sent letters and money, the former written in a strangely mingled mood of grief and hopefulness, the remittance varying from half a sovereign to a ten-pound note.

This time the letters were invariably posted in London, but in different districts.
Clover declared that he was miserable away from home, and, without offering any reason for his behaviour, promised that he would soon return.
Six years had since elapsed.

To afford herself occupation Mrs.Clover went into the glass and china business, assisted by her parents' experience, and by the lively interest of her friend Mr.Gammon.