To his surprise she received him very quietly, much as she usually did, without betraying any emotion; whereupon he wished that he had not allowed two days to pass without making his usual visit.

Mrs.Goddard almost wished so too.

She had been so much accustomed to regard the squire as a friend, and she had so long been used to the thought that Mr.and Mrs.Ambrose knew of her past trouble, that the fact of the squire becoming acquainted with her history seemed to her less important, now that it was accomplished, than it seemed to the squire himself.

She had long thought of telling him all; she had seriously contemplated doing so when he first came to Billingsfield, and now at last the thing was done.

She was glad of it.