When Miss Fossett returned to the Rectory, she said to Athelstan Taylor: "A nice mess I've made of it, Yorick!"
Said Yorick then, laughing: "What's the rumpus?"
"I've told Jim Coupland about Lizarann's chest."
"Hm-hm-hm! Ah well!—he's got to know. How did he take it?"
"Very well—but...."
"But, of course! Never mind, Addie. Don't you fret. I'm going round that way after lunch, and I'll call and see Jim."
This was about a month after Challis and his wife parted. But is it necessary to synchronize the events of the story so closely?