Still she felt that the vicar saw far into her life.
On some topics she was more open than she had hitherto ventured to be; a boldness, almost a carelessness, for which she herself could not account, possessed her at such times.
Late in June she received from Stella Westlake a pressing invitation to come and spend a fortnight in London.

It was like sunshine to her heart; almost without hesitation she re solved to accept it.

Her husband offered no objection, seemed to treat the proposal with indifference.
Later in the day he said: 'If you have time, you might perhaps give Alice a call.' 'I shall do that as soon as ever I can.' He had something else to say.
'Perhaps Mrs.Westlake might ask her to come, whilst you are there.' 'Very likely, I think,' Adela replied, with an attempt at confidence.
It was only her second visit to London: the first had been in winter time, and under conditions which had not allowed her to attend to anything she saw.

But for Stella's presence there she would have feared London; her memory of it was like that of an ill dream long past; her mind only reverted to it in darkest hours, and then she shuddered.

But now she thought only of Stella; Stella was light and joy, a fountain of magic waters.