‘His father does not in his plan consider his bond to the boy. Why any more should you? In any case, I should be honoured to take over the protection of the child.’

‘Dr Nolan. Edward. While I hold you in the very highest regard, I must say that I have never entertained romantic thoughts towards you and I …’

At this he came still closer, his hands yet upon her shoulders. Did he smell of bergamot or was it witch-hazel? Alice was aware of the faintest trace of something refreshing and ever so slightly sharp. Or could it be West Indian lime? It was a most pleasing smell. She liked it. This surprised her. But before she had time to think more, Nolan’s lips were on hers. This too she liked. In her surprise, she became immediately aware of a new difficulty, completely unforeseen: that of smiling and kissing at one and the same time.

To her aunt she did not relay the details of her perplexing interview with Edward Nolan. She hardly knew what to make of it herself. The sudden rush of delight had quite unseated her. The opinion of another person could not be admitted into the question as yet. She would give herself a day or two in which to privately consider the course he proposed. Felicity was resolved that they should the next day make their call on the widow, a call which Alice did not anticipate with any joy. It could only be a confrontation, unpleasant to all. Alice had no wish to set eyes on her tormentor, yet if the visit afforded a chance to prevent the terrible course on which her husband was now set, she must take it.

But the following morning she received a letter from her husband’s sister. Caroline was much agitated to learn that Alice had quit The Grange. It was monstrous that the mother of a young child should not enjoy the sanctuary of her own home. Having spoken at some length with her brother, it had become evident to her that his wife’s departure was an event he had not only foreseen, but anticipated. It was surely with this very end in mind that he had not set into train his family’s removal to the big house, for he had guessed that Caroline would have offered Alice the shelter of The Grange herself, were she already its occupier.