Charmondshouldhaveheardthevillagenews，andbecomequitedisappointedinherexpectationsofGraceatfindingshekeptsuchcompany？
Fullofthisposthocargument，Mr。Melburyoverlookedtheinfinitethrongofotherpossiblereasonsandunreasonsforawomanchanginghermind。Forinstance，whileknowingthathisGracewasattractive，hequiteforgotthatMrs。Charmondhadalsogreatpretensionstobeauty。Inhissimpleestimate，anattractivewomanattractedallaround。
SoitwassettledinhismindthathersuddenminglingwiththevillagersattheunluckyWinterborne’swasthecauseofhermostgrievousloss，ashedeemedit，inthedirectionofHintockHouse。
“’Tisathousandpities！”hewouldrepeattohimself。“Iamruiningherforconscience’sake！”
Itwasonemorninglateron，whilethesethingswereagitatinghismind，that，curiouslyenough，somethingdarkenedthewindowjustastheyfinishedbreakfast。Lookingup，theysawGilesinpersonmountedonhorseback，andstraininghisneckforward，ashehadbeendoingforsometime，tocatchtheirattentionthroughthewindow。Gracehadbeenthefirsttoseehim，andinvoluntarilyexclaimed，“Thereheis——andanewhorse！”