Mr.Moxey made sober expression of good wishes, and hoped he might hear that the removal to London had proved 'advantageous'.

This word sufficed to convert Godwin's irritation into wrath; he said an abrupt 'good-evening', raised his hat as awkwardly as usual, and stalked away.
A few paces from the garden gate, he encountered Miss Janet Moxey, just coming home from walk or visit.

Another grab at his hat, and he would have passed without a word, but the girl stopped him.
'We hear that you are going to London, Mr.Peak.' 'Yes, I am, Miss Moxey.' She examined his face, and seemed to hesitate.
'Perhaps you have just been to say good-bye to father ?' 'Yes.' Janet paused, looked away, again turned her eyes upon him.
'You have friends there, I hope ?' she ventured.
'No, I have none.' 'My cousin--Christian, you remember--would, I am sure, be very glad to help you in any way.' Her voice sank, and at the same time she coloured just perceptibly under Godwin's gaze.
'So he assured me,' was the reply.

'But I must learn to be independent, Miss Moxey.' Whereupon Godwin performed a salute, and marched forward.
His boxes were packed, and now he had but one more evening in the old home.

It was made less pleasant than it might have been by a piece of information upon which he by chance alighted in a newspaper.