It was a great exception, and she herself doubted whether she were wise to receive him when she had not Nellie with her.

Nellie had gone to the vicarage to help Mrs.Ambrose with some work she had in hand for her poor people, but Mrs.Goddard had a slight headache and had stayed at home in consequence.

The weather was very bad; heavy clouds were driving overhead and the north-east wind howled and screamed through the leafless oaks of the park, driving a fine sleet against the cottage windows and making the dead creepers rattle against the wall.

It was a bitter January day, and Mrs.Goddard felt how pleasant a thing it was to stay at home with a book beside her blazing fire.

She was all alone, and Nellie would not be back before four o'clock.