She looked like a person suffering from some great mental strain.

He sat down beside her and took her passive hand.

He was moved, and felt as though he might have been her father.
"My dear," he said kindly, almost as though he were speaking to a child, "have you anything upon your mind, anything which distresses you?
Do you wish to tell me?
If so I will do my very best to help you." Mrs.Goddard's fingers pressed his hand a little, but her face was still turned away.
"It is Mr.Juxon," she almost whispered.

If she had been watching the vicar she would have noticed the strange air of perplexity which came over his face when he heard the squire's name.
"Yes--Mr.Juxon," she moaned.

Then the choked-down horror rose in her throat.