We will walk home," said the squire to the groom as they descended before the vicarage and Stamboul, who had sat on the floor between them, sprang down to the ground.
John was startled when he met Mrs.Goddard.He was amazed at the change in her appearance for which no one had prepared him.

She met him indeed very cordially but he felt as though she were not the same woman he had known so short a time before.

There was still in her face that delicate pathetic expression which had at first charmed him, there was still the same look in her eyes; but what had formerly seemed so attractive seemed now exaggerated.

Her cheeks looked wan and hollow and there were deep shadows about her eyes and temples; her lips had lost their colour and the lines about her mouth had suddenly become apparent where John had not before suspected them.

She looked ten years older as she put her thin hand in his and smiled pleasantly at his greeting.