Lady Janet put on her spectacles.

"Odd that he should have come back already!" she said to herself, as she threw the empty envelope on the table.
The letter contained these lines, the writer of them being no other than the man who had preached in the chapel of the Refuge: "DEAR AUNT--I am back again in London before my time.

My friend the rector has shortened his holiday, and has resumed his duties in the country.

I am afraid you will blame me when you hear of the reasons which have hastened his return.

The sooner I make my confession, the easier I shall feel.