It explained everything--her instinctive dislike of the man from the first, his moroseness and insolence, and the cunning with which he had insinuated himself first into her husband's and then into Percy's confidence! How blind she had been not to see it all before! She might have known that he was a villain! Now, however, her duty was clear, and she would be wicked if she delayed to act upon it a moment.

If Mr Rimbolt had been at home, it would have fallen on him to discharge it, but he was not, and she must do it for him.
Whereupon this worthy matron girded herself for the fray, and stalked off to the study.
Jeffreys was busy transcribing some bibliographical notes which he had brought away with him from Exeter.

The work was not very engrossing, and he had leisure now and then to let his mind wander, and the direction his thoughts took was towards Mr Rimbolt's little plan of a run on the Continent for Percy and himself this summer.

Jeffreys had been afraid to acknowledge to himself how much the plan delighted him.
He longed to see the everlasting snows, and the lakes, and the grand old mediaeval cities, and the prospect of seeing them with Percy, away from all that could annoy or jar-- He had got so far when the door opened, and Mrs Rimbolt stood before him.
The lady was pale, and evidently agitated beyond her wont.

She stood for a moment facing Jeffreys, and apparently waiting for words.