She had liked Mr.Wyvern from the first meeting with him, and a sense of trust had been nourished by each succeeding conversation.
In her agitation she thought it would not be hard to tell him so much of the circumstances as would enable him to judge and counsel.
Yet it was with relief, on the whole, that she turned homewards with her object unattained.

It would be much better to wait and test herself yet further.

Why should she not speak with her mother about that vow she was asked to make?
She did not seek solitude again, but joined her mother and Alfred in the sitting-room.

Mrs.Waltham made no inquiry about the short absence.
Alfred had only just called to mind the newspaper which Mr.Keene had given him; and was unfolding it for perusal.

His eye caught a marked paragraph, one of a number under the heading 'Gossip from Town.' As he read it he uttered a 'Hullo!' of surprise.
'Well, here's the latest,' he continued, looking at his companions with an amused eye.