It was very early to be disturbed, and he thought her visit would refer, doubtless, to some trivial right between her son and Charlotte Sandal; besides which, he had made up his mind to discuss the Sandal affairs with no one.
But Ducie had spoken but a few moments before a remarkable change took place in his manner.

He was bending eagerly forward, listening to her half-whispered words with the greatest interest and amazement.

As she proceeded, he could scarcely control his emotion; and very soon all other expressions were lost in one of a satisfaction that was almost triumph.
"I will keep them here until you return," he answered; "but let me tell you, Ducie, you have been less quick to do right than I thought of you." "The fell has been a hard walk for an old woman, the cart-road nearly impassable until this rain washed away the drifts; but I did not neglect my duty altogether, neither, parson.

Moser was written to six weeks since, and he has been at work.

Maybe, after all, no time has been lost.