But it was So unprepared for, I half thought it might be a joke.' 'Oh, she's fond of these surprises,' Mrs.Baxendale said, in a tone of good-natured allowance.

'On the whole I sympathise with her; I myself prefer not to linger over such occasions.' Later in the day Mrs.Baxendale drove out to Banbrigg, this time alone.
On her return, she sought Wilfrid and found him in his room.

There was concern on her face.
'I have heard something very painful from Mrs.Hood,' she began.

'It seems that Emily is in ignorance of her father's death.' Wilfrid looked at her in astonishment.
'I told you,' Mrs.Baxendale pursued, 'that she had not been altogether well just before it happened, but it now appears that the dreadful incident of her entering the room just when the body was brought in must have taken place when she was delirious.

The poor woman has had no suspicion of that; but it is proved by Emily's questions, now that she begins to talk.