But towards five o'clock, as Mr.Woodgate was returning to the Vicarage, a carriage and pair, sweeping past him in a cloud of dust, left the clergyman quite petrified on the roadside, his soft felt hat still in his hand; the carriage contained Mrs.
Venables, who had simply stared him in the face when he took it off.
Woodgate was quite excited when he reached the Vicarage.

Morna met him in the garden.
"Mrs.Venables cut me dead!" he cried while they were still yards apart.
"I am not surprised," replied Morna, who was in a state of suppressed excitement herself.
"But what on earth is the meaning of it ?" "She has just been here." "Well ?" "She is not likely to come again.

Oh, Hugh, I don't know how to tell you! If you agree with her for a moment, if you see any possible excuse for the woman, it will break my heart!" Morna's fine eyes were filled with tears; the sight of them put out the flame that had leapt for once from stolid Hugh, and he took her hand in his own great soothing grasp.
"Come and sit down," he said, "and tell me all about it.

Have I ever taken anybody's part against you, Morna, that you should think me likely to begin now ?" "No; but you would if you thought they were right and I was wrong." Hugh reflected until they reached the garden-seat upon the lawn.
"Well, not openly, at all events," said he; "and not under any circumstances I can conceive in which Mrs.Venables was the other person." "But she isn't the only other person; that is just it.

Oh, Hugh, you do like Rachel, don't you ?" "I do," he said emphatically.