At this moment Mrs.Goddard and Nellie came out, followed by the squire arrayed in his inevitable green stockings.

There was however no rose in his coat.
Whether the greenhouses at the Hall had failed to produce any in the bitter weather, or whether Mr.Juxon had transferred the rose from his coat to the possession of Mrs.Goddard, is uncertain.

The three came out into the road where the vicar and John stood still to meet them.
"Mrs.Goddard," said the clergyman, "this is Mr.Short, of whom you have heard--John, let me introduce you to Mr.Juxon." John felt that he blushed violently as he took Mrs.Goddard's hand.

He would not have believed that he could feel so much embarrassed, and he hated himself for betraying it.

But nobody noticed his colour.