He who knew all the circumstances of Mr.Holbrook's journey, and the probabilities as to his return, would be so much better able to comfort and reassure his wife.
"He will come to-day, I have no doubt," Ellen said to herself on the morning after her husband's funeral.
She told Marian how she had written to Mr.Fenton on the day before, in order to avoid the agitation of a surprise, should he appear at the Grange without waiting to announce his coming.

Nor was she mistaken as to the probability of his speedy arrival.

It was not long after noon when there came a loud peal of the bell that rang so rarely.

Ellen ran herself to the gate to admit the visitor.

She had told him of her husband's death in her last letter, and her widow's weeds were no surprise to him.