This morning she could not settle to her work.  The dreaming mood was upon her, and she appeared rather to encourage it, seeking a quiet corner of the garden and watching for a whole hour the sun-dappled trunk of a great elm.  At times her face seemed itself to be a source of light, so vivid were the thoughts that transformed it Her eyes were moist once or twice, and then no dream of artist-soul ever embodied such passionate loveliness, such holy awe, as came to view upon her countenance.  At lunch she was almost silent, but Alice, happening to glance at her, experienced a surprise; she had never seen Adela so beautiful and so calmly bright.

After lunch she attired herself for walking, and went to the village to see her mother.  Lest Mrs. Waltham should be lonely, it had been arranged that Alfred should come home every evening, instead of once a week.  Even thus, Adela had frequently reproached herself for neglecting her mother.  Mrs. Waltham, however, enjoyed much content.  The material comforts of her life were considerably increased, and she had many things in anticipation.  Adela’s unsatisfactory health rendered it advisable that the present year should pass in quietness, but Mrs. Waltham had made up her mind that before long there should be a house in London, with the delights appertaining thereto.  She did not feel herself at all too old to enjoy the outside view of a London season; more than that it would probably be difficult to obtain just yet.  To-day she was in excellent spirits, and welcomed her daughter exuberantly.

‘You haven’t seen Letty yet?’ she asked.  ‘To-day, I mean.’

‘No.  Has she some news for me?’

’Alfred has an excellent chance of promotion.  That old Wilkinson is dead, and he thinks there’s no doubt he’ll get the place.  It would be two hundred and fifty a year.’

‘That’s good news, indeed.’

Of course it would mean Letty’s immediate marriage.  Mrs. Waltham discussed the prospect in detail.  No doubt the best and simplest arrangement would be for the pair to live on in the same house.  For the present, of course.  Alfred was now firm on the commercial ladder, and in a few years his income would doubtless be considerable; then a dwelling of a very different kind could be found.  With the wedding, too, she was occupying her thoughts.

’Yours was not quite what it ought to have been, Adela.  I felt it at the time, but then things were done in such a hurry.  Of course the church must be decorated.  The breakfast you will no doubt arrange to have at the Manor.  Letty ought to have a nice, a really nice trousseau; I know you will be kind to her, my dear.’

As Alice had done, Mrs. Waltham noticed before long that Adela was far brighter than usual.  She remarked upon it.

’You begin to look really well, my love.  It makes me happy to see you.  How much we have to be thankful for!  I’ve had a letter this morning from poor Lizzie Henbane; I must show it you.  They’re in such misery as never was.  Her husband’s business is all gone to nothing, and he is cruelly unkind to her.  How thankful we ought to be!’