This letter brought Isabel home at once through three days of
continuous travel. From the station she had herself driven
straight to Mrs. Osborn's house, and she held the letter in her
hand as she went.
Her visit lasted for some time and it was not pleasant. When Mrs.
Osborn hastened down, surprised at Isabel's return and prepared to
greet her with the old warmth, her greeting was repelled and she
herself recoiled, hurt and disposed to demand an explanation.
"Isabel," she said reproachfully, "is this the way you come back to
me?"
Isabel did not heed but spoke: "As soon as I received this letter,
I determined to come home. I wished to know at once what these
things are that are being said about Rowan. What are they?"