'I think you had better let her come alone,' the old man had said when Caldigate asked whether he might be allowed to accompany his wife.

'Mrs.Bolton has not been well since her daughter's marriage and has felt the desolation of her position very much.

She is weak and nervous, and I think you had better let Hester come alone.' Had Caldigate known his mother-in-law better he would not have suggested a visit from himself.

No one who did know her would have looked forward to see her old hatred eradicated by an absence of nine months.

Hester therefore went into Cambridge alone, and was taken up to the house by her father.