The stars were flickering coldly, and the dampness which had just descended upon the earth in rain now sent up a chill from it.

Darton was in a strange position, and he felt it.

The unexpected appearance, in deep poverty, of Helena--a young lady, daughter of a deceased naval officer, who had been brought up by her uncle, a solicitor, and had refused Darton in marriage years ago--the passionate, almost angry demeanour of Sally at discovering them, the abrupt announcement that Helena was a widow; all this coming together was a conjuncture difficult to cope with in a moment, and made him question whether he ought to leave the house or offer assistance.

But for Sally's manner he would unhesitatingly have done the latter.
He was still standing under the tree when the door in front of him opened, and Mrs.Hall came out.

She went round to the garden-gate at the side without seeing him.