Millborne bore the reproaches of his wife and daughter almost in silence; but by degrees he grew meditative, as if revolving a new idea.

The bitter cry about blighting their existence at length became so impassioned that one day Millborne calmly proposed to return again to the country; not necessarily to Exonbury, but, if they were willing, to a little old manor-house which he had found was to be let, standing a mile from Mr.Cope's town of Ivell.
They were surprised, and, despite their view of him as the bringer of ill, were disposed to accede.

'Though I suppose,' said Mrs.Millborne to him, 'it will end in Mr.Cope's asking you flatly about the past, and your being compelled to tell him; which may dash all my hopes for Frances.

She gets more and more like you every day, particularly when she is in a bad temper.

People will see you together, and notice it; and I don't know what may come of it!' 'I don't think they will see us together,' he said; but he entered into no argument when she insisted otherwise.