CHAPTER IV--A SUGGESTION.
The summer drew on, and Rhoda Brook almost dreaded to meet Mrs.Lodge again, notwithstanding that her feeling for the young wife amounted well- nigh to affection.

Something in her own individuality seemed to convict Rhoda of crime.

Yet a fatality sometimes would direct the steps of the latter to the outskirts of Holmstoke whenever she left her house for any other purpose than her daily work; and hence it happened that their next encounter was out of doors.

Rhoda could not avoid the subject which had so mystified her, and after the first few words she stammered, 'I hope your--arm is well again, ma'am ?' She had perceived with consternation that Gertrude Lodge carried her left arm stiffly.
'No; it is not quite well.

Indeed it is no better at all; it is rather worse.