Thewoodswereuninteresting，andGracestayedin-doorsagreatdeal。Shebecamequiteastudent，readingmorethanshehaddonesincehermarriageButherseclusionwasalwaysbrokenfortheperiodicalvisittoWinterborne’sgravewithMarty，whichwaskeptupwithpiousstrictness，forthepurposeofputtingsnow-drops，primroses，andothervernalflowersthereonastheycame。
Oneafternoonatsunsetshewasstandingjustoutsideherfather’sgarden，which，liketherestoftheHintockenclosures，abuttedintothewood。Aslightfoot-pathledalonghere，formingasecretwaytoeitherofthehousesbygettingthroughitsboundaryhedge。Gracewasjustabouttoadoptthismodeofentrywhenafigureapproachedalongthepath，andhelduphishandtodetainher。Itwasherhusband。
“Iamdelighted。”hesaid，comingupoutofbreath；andthereseemednoreasontodoubthiswords。“Isawyousomewayoff——I
wasafraidyouwouldgoinbeforeIcouldreachyou。”
“Itisaweekbeforethetime。”saidshe，reproachfully。“Isaidafortnightfromthelastmeeting。”