She did not know the way so familiarly as that between Thornwick and the town, but she would enter the latter before arriving at the common.
She had not gone far when the moon rose, and from behind the clouds diminished the darkness a little.

The first part of her journey lay along a narrow lane, with a small ditch, a rising bank, and a hedge on each side.

About the middle of the lane was a farmyard, and a little way farther a cottage.

Soon after passing the gate of the farmyard, she thought she heard steps behind her, seemingly soft and swift, and naturally felt a little apprehension; but her thoughts flew to the one hiding-place for thoughts and hearts and lives, and she felt no terror.
At the same time something moved her to quicken her pace.

As she drew near the common, she heard the steps more plainly, still soft and swift, and almost wished she had sought refuge in the cottage she had just passed--only it bore no very good character in the neighborhood.
When she reached the spot where the paths united, feeling a little at home, she stopped to listen.