Itwasnowlateintheafternoon，andshehadbeenoutsincetheearlymorning。Thishadneverhappenedbefore。Vaguesuspicionsofher，onemoremonstrousthananother，begantoriseinGeoffrey’smind。Betweenthedrinkandthefever，hehadbeenasJuliushadtoldhimwanderinginhismindduringapartofthenight。Hadheletanythingoutinthatcondition？HadHesterheardit？Andwasit，byanychance，atthebottomofherlongabsenceandhernoticetoquit？Hedetermined——withoutlettingherseethathesuspectedher——toclearupthatdoubtassoonashislandladyreturnedtothehouse。
Theeveningcame。Itwaspastnineo’clockbeforetherewasaringatthebell。Theservantcametoaskforthekey。Geoffreyrosetogotothegatehimself——andchangedhismindbeforehelefttheroom。_Her_suspicionsmightberousedsupposingittobeHesterwhowaswaitingforadmissionifheopenedthegatetoherwhentheservantwastheretodoit。Hegavethegirlthekey，andkeptoutofsight。
“Deadtired!“——theservantsaidtoherself，seeinghermistressbythelightofthelampoverthegate。
“Deadtired!“——Geoffreysaidtohimself，observingHestersuspiciouslyasshepassedhiminthepassageonherwayupstairstotakeoffherbonnetinherownroom。
“Deadtired!“——Annesaidtoherself，meetingHesterontheupperfloor，andreceivingfromheraletterinBlanche’shandwriting，deliveredtothemistressofthecottagebythepostman，whohadmetheratherowngate。