She had gone about half the distance when she heard a horse's footsteps approaching.

The road ran between two high hedges and there was no place for concealment.

She therefore walked along by the edge of the road close to the hedge, hoping that the horseman would pass without noticing her.

His eyes, however, were too much accustomed to the darkness.

He reined in his horse when he came to her, and a moment later the light of a small lantern fell on her face.
"Who are you ?" a voice asked, "and where are you going ?" "I am going to the vicarage," she said, "to see Mr.Withers." "A likely story that," he said.