His wife herself saw the awkwardness of their position here, and cheerfully welcomed the purposed change, towards which every step had been taken but the last.

But could he find it in his heart--as he found it clearly enough in his conscience--to go away?
He drew a troubled breath, and went in-doors.

Here he rapidly penned a letter, wherein he withdrew once for all from the treaty for the Budmouth practice.

As the postman had already left Little Hintock for that night, he sent one of Melbury's men to intercept a mail-cart on another turnpike-road, and so got the letter off.
The man returned, met Fitzpiers in the lane, and told him the thing was done.

Fitzpiers went back to his house musing.