Thomas Hardy

“ Ask him the question to his face, whether the woman is his wife or no, and see how he receives it.'
'I will to-morrow, most certainly,' she said. 'I always let these things die of wholesome ventilation, as every fungus does.'
But no sooner had the rector left her presence, than the grain of mustard-seed he had sown grew to a tree. Her impatience to set her mind at rest could not brook a night's delay. It was with the utmost difficulty that she could wait till evening arrived to screen her movements. ”

“ Manston--as I shall call her--twice as sweet in disposition, three times as beautiful. Would he have given her up quietly and suddenly for a common--Mr. Raunham, your story is monstrous, and I don't believe it!' She glowed in her earnestness.
The rector might now have advanced his second proposition--the possible motive--but for reasons of his own he did not.
'Very well, madam. I only hope that facts will sustain you in your belief. ”

“ Looking out of the shop window, between the coloured bottles, she saw Manston come down the steps of the bank, in the act of withdrawing his hand from his pocket, and pulling his coat close over its mouth.
It is an almost universal habit with people, when leaving a bank, to be carefully adjusting their pockets if they have been receiving money; if they have been paying it in, their hands swing laxly. The steward had in all likelihood been taking money--possibly on Miss Aldclyffe's account--that was continual with him. ”