Of course the pompous old fool was mistaken, and the proper thing to do was to send back the volume instantly and take no more notice of him.
"It shall be sent back," said Mr.Carling, "but not till the missing number is replaced." And he then told her what he had done.
The effect of that simple piece of information on Mrs.Carling was so extraordinary and so unaccountable that her husband fairly stood aghast.
For the first time since their marriage he saw her temper suddenly in a flame.

She started up from the sofa and walked about the room as if she had lost her senses, upbraiding him for making the weakest of concessions to Mr.Rambert's insolent assumption that the rector was to blame.

If she could only have laid hands on that letter, she would have consulted her husband's dignity and independence by putting it in the fire! She hoped and prayed the number of the paper might not be found! In fact, it was certain that the number, after all these years, could not possibly be hunted up.

The idea of his acknowledging himself to be in the wrong in that way, when he knew himself to be in the right! It was almost ridiculous--no, it was _quite_ ridiculous! And she threw herself back on the sofa, and suddenly burst out laughing.
At the first word of remonstrance which fell from her husband's lips her mood changed again in an instant.

She sprang up once more, kissed him passionately, with the tears streaming from her eyes, and implored him to leave her alone to recover herself.