Confidence between her and Mrs.Widdowson had never existed, and in the present state of things she could not hope to probe Monica's secret feelings.
Whilst she still brooded over the difficulty there came a letter for her from Everard Barfoot.

He wrote formally; it had occurred to him that he might be of some slight service, in view of her approaching holiday, if he looked through the guide-books, and jotted down the outline of such a walking-tour as she had in mind.

This he had done, and the results were written out on an enclosed sheet of paper.

Rhoda allowed a day to intervene, then sent a reply.

She thanked Mr.Barfoot sincerely for the trouble he had so kindly taken.