"Something has happened." And as she said this, she went quickly into her chamber to put into execution some suddenly-formed resolution.

Opening a wardrobe, she took therefrom her bonnet and a shawl.

But, ere she had thrown the latter around her shoulders, she paused, with the words on her lips-- "If business should have detained him at his store, how will my appearance there affect him?
I must think of that.

I do not want him to feel that I have lost confidence in him." While Mrs.Wilkinson stood, thus musing, her ear caught the sound of her husband's key in the lock of the street-door.

How quickly were her bonnet and shawl returned to their places! How instant and eager were her efforts to suppress all signs of anxiety at the prolonged absence! "He must not see that I have been over-anxious," she murmured.
The street-door closed; Mr.Wilkinson's well-known tread sounded along the passage and up the stairway.