"Even if you don't see Henry, you may be able to advise me as to what I had better do." I gave my promise, and the troubled mother went back through storm and darkness to her home.

By this time my overcoat was thoroughly dried.

As Constance brought it forth warm from the fire, she looked into my face with an expression of inquiry.

But I was not ready to speak in regard to Mrs.Wallingford, and, perceiving this at a glance, she kept silence on that subject.
As I opened the front door, the storm swept into my face; but I passed out quickly into the night, and shielding myself with an umbrella, as best I could, bent to the rushing wind, and took my solitary way in the direction of Mrs.Jones's humble dwelling, which lay quite upon the outskirts of our town.

To reach my destination, I had to pass the Old Allen House, which stood within a high stone enclosure, surrounded by stately elms a century old, which spread their great arms above and around the decaying mansion, as if to ward off the encroachments of time.