Naturally frank and straightforward in all her own dealings, Miss Garth shrank from plainly pursuing her doubts to this result: a want of loyalty toward her tried and valued friend seemed implied in the mere dawning of it on her mind.
She locked up the letter in her desk; roused herself resolutely to attend to the passing interests of the day; and went downstairs again to the breakfast-room.

Amid many uncertainties, this at least was clear, Mr.and Mrs.Vanstone were coming back on the twenty-third of the month.
Who could say what new revelations might not come back with them?
.