"Quite impossible," rejoined Jane. "On my return I shall be delighted to stay with you. But not now. I must start early in the morning."
"But you can't reach Abbots Leigh to-morrow."
"No, I shall pass the night at Cirencester."
"You can't do better," remarked Mr. Tombs. "There is a good inn there, kept by a very worthy woman, Widow Meynell, who will take every care of you."
"I know Widow Meynell very well," replied Jane, "and shall feel as much at home with her as I do here."
"Well, let us go in-doors," said Mrs. Tombs, leading the way.
They then entered the house, which was larger and more commodious than its exterior seemed to promise.
"You know your own room, Jane, so I needn't show you to it," said Mrs. Tombs.
Jane tripped up the old oak staircase, while her sister and Mrs. Tombs followed more leisurely.