‘Such moments must have been welcome, after all you had endured.’

‘They were. Although I fear your ideas about immersion in cold water could not bear fruit where the cholera is concerned.’

‘No indeed,’ the doctor averred. ‘Perhaps you have heard of Dr Snow, in London? It is his contention that the cholera may be passed on by contaminated drinking water.’

‘But it is well known to be caused by pestilent vapours,’ William objected. ‘I have seen it myself, while we were at war. Men were struck down from gaseous miasma. Those who camped close to river courses were most at risk, from the vaporous emanations.’

At this Dr Nolan merely smiled and made a gesture that was neither a nod nor quite a shrug. It had come to his notice that it didn’t signify to disagree too far with soldiers.

‘It is a pity your Dr Nolan is not more blessed in his appearance, for he is an amiable fellow,’ William said as they were preparing for bed.

‘Let us call a thing by its true name and admit that he is ugly,’ laughed Alice. ‘My aunt and myself have tried to think of a wife for him, but young women will be struck by a man’s face. I fear they take but one look at him – and vanish.’

‘Perhaps we might introduce him to my sister Caroline.’

Alice looked doubtful.

‘I think Caroline has no interest in securing a husband. I already tried your Mrs Lockwood. I had them both to dine here while you were away, but she barely once looked at him and only uttered please and thank you throughout.’

‘She is not given to speechifying, I fancy,’ said William.

‘No,’ said Alice.

‘She has a most becoming natural modesty,’ he added.

‘William! I believe she has turned your head!’ teased his wife.

‘Not at all. But I am able to judge her pleasant nonetheless.’

So it was that when the snowdrops were in flower the widow brought the two little girls to The Grange for the first time. William took them for a tour: to see the ducks on the pond, the henhouse and stables. The older child, Molly, was much taken with the horses and ponies, but her sister preferred the smaller creatures. She had heard it said that a pony could give a kick quite the equal of a bull and she shrank back when Gale offered to lead them around. Her sister, however, accepted with alacrity and so enjoyed herself that he was quite scarlet in the face with exertion by the time she had done with him. The three visitors stayed for luncheon – at William’s insistence the children ate with them – before setting back for Cheltenham before two o’clock, so as to make the journey in daylight.

‘Are you a reader, Mrs Lockwood?’ Alice enquired.

‘I am not. There is always something else to occupy me: making things for my girls, mending.’