Herbert was troubled by none of his wife's prejudices, but on another occasion he had made her feel that she owed him something for which he might expect some return, and now the impression was more marked; their secret, though of no importance, had strengthened his position.

Herbert seldom granted a favor without an end in view; and she did not wish him to get too firm a hold on her.

The feeling, however, wore off, and she had spent a pleasant afternoon when Bland came for her as the shadows lengthened.
He reminded her of Ethel: "We'll have to get off, if we're to pick up Miss West." Sylvia said that she was ready, though she felt it would have been more satisfactory had Ethel been allowed to go back by train.

They began the journey, but after a few miles the car stopped on a steep rise.
The driver with some trouble started the engine, but soon after they had crossed the crest of the hill it stopped again, and he looked grave as he supplied Bland with some details that Sylvia found unintelligible.
"You must get her along another mile; then you can go back on a bicycle for what you want," Bland told him, and turned to Sylvia.

"We'll be delayed for an hour or so, but he can leave word for Miss West, and there's an inn not far off where they'll give us tea while we're waiting." They reached it after turning into another road, though the car made alarming noises during the journey.