She would never have been comfortable or contented.

She has, my dear if I may say so, been mistress too long, and as I intend you to be mistress of my house, it is much better that she should go." As Mrs.Sankey had certain doubts herself as to whether Abijah would be a success in the new home, the subject was dropped, and it became an understood thing that Abijah would leave after the wedding.
The newly married couple were absent for three weeks.

Until two days before their return Abijah remained in the old house with the young Sankeys; then they moved into their new home, and she went off to her native village ten miles distant away on the moors.

The next day there was a sale at the old house.

A few, a very few, of the things had been moved.