But from the moment of her arrival Hordle's manner had seemed so very strange.

Of course it was horrid even to suspect such a thing; but was it possible that he over-indulged sometimes, that he, in plain English, drank?
Poor dear Charles--if he knew it, what an additional worry! It really was too deplorable .-- Anyway she could alleviate his worries to a certain extent by carrying Theresa off.

She would do so at once .-- Was there an evening train from Stourmouth, which stopped at Paulton Halt?
Well--if there wasn't she must get out at Marychurch, and drive from there.

She only trusted she would be in time to dress for dinner.

Harriet was such a stickler for etiquette.
From all which it may be deduced that the confessions, made to Miss Verity to-day, had this in common with those habitually heard by her--that the point of the story had been rather carefully left out..