She could not sit through the service, yet to leave the church she would have to walk the whole length of the aisle.

What did it matter?
It would very soon be known why she had gone away, and to face for a moment the wonder of Sunday-clad villagers is not a grave trial.

Adela opened the pew door and quitted the church, the parchment held beneath her mantle.
As she issued from the porch the sun smote warm upon her face; it encouraged a feeling of gladness which had followed her astonishment.
She had discovered the tenor of the will; it affected her with a sudden joy, undisturbed at first by any reflection.

The thought of self was slow in coming, and had not power to trouble her greatly even when she faced it.

Befall herself what might, she held against her heart a power which was the utmost limit of that heart's desire.