In little more than twenty minutes the journey was accomplished.

I paused at the gate to wipe my streaming forehead, and recover my breath and some degree of composure.

Already the rapid walking had somewhat mitigated my excitement; and with a firm and steady tread I paced the garden-walk.

In passing the inhabited wing of the building, I caught a sight of Mrs.Graham, through the open window, slowly pacing up and down her lonely room.
She seemed agitated and even dismayed at my arrival, as if she thought I too was coming to accuse her.

I had entered her presence intending to condole with her upon the wickedness of the world, and help her to abuse the vicar and his vile informants, but now I felt positively ashamed to mention the subject, and determined not to refer to it, unless she led the way.
'I am come at an unseasonable hour,' said I, assuming a cheerfulness I did not feel, in order to reassure her; 'but I won't stay many minutes.' She smiled upon me, faintly it is true, but most kindly--I had almost said thankfully, as her apprehensions were removed.
'How dismal you are, Helen! Why have you no fire ?' I said, looking round on the gloomy apartment.
'It is summer yet,' she replied.
'But we always have a fire in the evenings, if we can bear it; and you especially require one in this cold house and dreary room.' 'You should have come a little sooner, and I would have had one lighted for you: but it is not worth while now--you won't stay many minutes, you say, and Arthur is gone to bed.' 'But I have a fancy for a fire, nevertheless.