They nearly decided to summon him to the house: but the matter being broached at table one evening, Major Strike objected to it so angrily that they abandoned it, with the satisfactory conclusion that if they did wrong it was the Major's fault.
Meantime Juliana had much on her conscience.

She knew Evan to be innocent, and she allowed Rose to think him guilty.

Could she bring her heart to join them?
That was not in her power: but desiring to be lulled by a compromise, she devoted herself to make his relatives receive him; and on days of bitter winds she would drive out to meet him, answering all expostulations with--'I should not go if he were here.' The game waxed hot.

It became a question whether Evan should be admitted to the house in spite of the Major.

Juliana now made an extraordinary move.