He stopped, thinking,—
“If I go to Gwennas, people will say that the case is clear against me.
“If I don’t go they will say that it is clearer, for I stop away because I am a coward, and that my conduct is cruel.
“Well, I won’t be brutal, at all events; so here goes to see Father Prawle, and to know how the poor girl is.”
He started off walking fast, but just then who should come round the corner but a thin figure in black, half-way between a sister of mercy and a lady in deep mourning.
“Miss Pavey, by all that’s wonderful!” he exclaimed. “What a transformation. What has become of the rainbow?”
“Ah, Miss Pavey,” he said. “Good-morning.”
To his astonishment and disgust, the lady darted a look of horror at him and crossed the road.
“This is pleasant,” he cried, angrily. “Why, that woman must know of it, and—”
He felt a chill of horror run through him, for he knew that she would go, if she had not already been, straight up to An Morlock and acquaint Rhoda with the events of the night, no doubt pleasantly dressed up.