Aldous would not help her--or not with any help worth having--in consoling this misery--binding up these sores.

Her heart cried shame on him.

She had a crime against him to confess--but she felt herself his superior none the less.

If he cast her off--why then surely they would be quits, quits for good and all.
As she reached the front door of Mellor, she saw a little two-wheeled cart standing outside it, and William holding the pony.
Visitors were nowadays more common at Mellor than they had been, and her instinct was to escape.

But as she was turning to a side door William touched his cap to her.
"Mr.Wharton's waiting to see you, miss." She stopped sharply.
"Where is Mrs.Boyce, William ?" "In the drawing-room, miss." She walked in calmly.