“How is it possible?” cried Emma, turning her glowing cheeks towards him; for, while she spoke, it occurred to her that he might have called at Mrs. Goddard’s in his way.

“I had a few lines on parish business from Mr. Weston this morning, and at the end of them he gave me a brief account of what had happened.”

Emma was quite relieved, and could presently say, with a little more composure,

“ You probably have been less surprised than any of us, for you have had your suspicions.⁠—I have not forgotten that you once tried to give me a caution.⁠—I wish I had attended to it⁠—but⁠—(with a sinking voice and a heavy sigh) I seem to have been doomed to blindness.”