It pleased her, when he entered the room, to be stately and rather distant of manner, to greet him as though they were still on formal terms; this troubled Harvey at first, but he came to understand and like it.

In Mrs Frothingham's presence, Alma avoided every sign of familiarity, and talked only of indifferent things.
Early in November there came news that a certain family in the little Welsh town would be glad to vacate their dwelling if a tenant could at once be found for it.

The same day Harvey travelled northwards, and on the morrow he despatched a telegram to Alma.

He had taken the house, and could have possession in a week or two.

Speedily followed a letter of description.