She said to herself that her absence might lead people to think there was some ground for the awful charge which had been brought against her.

She bought a smart new bonnet and sat among the audience, and heard Lucy Ayres, who had a beautiful contralto, sing in her place.

Lucy sang well, and looked very pretty in her lace blouse and white hat, but she was so pale that people commented on it.

Sylvia, who showed a fairly antagonistic partisanship for Lucinda, spoke to her as she came out of church, and walked with her until their roads divided.

Sylvia left Henry to follow with Rose Fletcher, who was still staying in East Westland, and pressed close to Lucinda.
"How are you ?" she said.
"Well enough; why shouldn't I be ?" retorted Lucinda.
It was impossible to tell from her manner whether she was grateful for, or resented, friendly advances.