The thing looks impossible! I must try to find out what foundation there is for the ridiculous tale." "I shall be relieved if you do find it is ridiculous," said Hayes, who went off soon afterwards.
For some minutes Osborn leaned against the mantel with his hands clenched, for he had got a shock.

He admitted that the Osborns had some faults, but they were the Tarnside Osborns and had ruled the dale for a very long time.

It was something to spring from such a stock, and the wilful girl had disgraced them all.

Osborn had suspected Grace of holding dangerous modern views, but it was unthinkably humiliating that she had engaged in a flirtation with a farmer's son.
He had declared the thing impossible, but he feared it was true.

Hayes had been very clear about her visit to Railton's, and her coming down Malton Head on Askew's sledge was ominous.