Eager as he was to see Marian, he was still more anxious to hear full particulars of that foul plot of which she had been made the victim.

Ellen Whitelaw told him the story very plainly, making no attempt to conceal her husband's guilty part in the business; and the story being finished, she took him straight to the parlour where he had seen Marian for the first time after her marriage.
It was a warm bright day, and all three windows were open.

Marian was sitting by one of them, with some scrap of work lying forgotten in her lap.

She started up from her seat as Gilbert went into the room, and hastened forward to meet him.
"How good of you to come!" she cried.

"And you have brought me news of my husband?
I am sure of that." "Yes, dear Mrs.Holbrook--Mrs.Saltram; may I not call you by that name now ?--I know all; and have forgiven all." "Then you know how deeply he sinned against you, and how much he valued your friendship?
He would never have played so false a part but for that.
He could not bear to think of being estranged from you." "We are not estranged.