But unless Mr Darnley had said something by way of acknowledgment, he felt that he should lose the reputation and praise and glory of confessing himself to have been in the wrong. Therefore he began with mighty earnestness of manner to say; “Mr Primrose, you probably did not expect this visit from me, but----” Then Mr Primrose hastily and cheerfully interrupted him, saying, “My good friend, I am most happy to see you. We will have no apologies; we are very sure that you have been only misinformed. I am glad to shake hands with you, and so will be Penelope.” At these words Penelope made her appearance, and Mr Darnley formally and graciously advanced to meet her. And he held out his hand to meet her with an unusual degree of condescension, and with that dignified kind of smile that looked rather more like granting than asking pardon. But in such matters Penelope was not fastidious, and she took the proffered hand as graciously and cordially as it was offered; and she made a lowly, reverential, and graceful curtsey. And though this was the usual mode in which Penelope greeted those whom she respected, yet there appeared to Mr Darnley a more than usual degree of humility and gracefulness in the young lady’s manner on the present occasion. And this thought touched him deeply, and he extended his other hand as if to prohibit and prevent such an undeserved homage; and he was beginning to speak, and there was in the tone of his voice that which reminded Penelope of former days and of the great agitations of mind through which she had passed, and there came before the eye of her memory the form of her deceased benefactor Doctor Greendale; and there was also great joy rushing into her spirit at the thought of reconciliation to old acquaintances and the revival of friendships, and thus trembling, she needed support, and she would have fallen to the ground, but Mr Darnley caught her in his arms, and she wept gently but audibly, and Mr Darnley found no power to speak. The heart of the rector of Neverden was deeply affected at this interview, and most unexpectedly so, for he had not anticipated such purely kind and graceful feeling. He had supposed that his errors would be pleasingly and readily pardoned, but he had not expected that he should meet with such powerful and contagious emotion. So he felt self-reproach more keenly than he expressed it; and his studied condescension availed him not, and his set speeches were dispersed. And it does not unfrequently happen that, when there is a studied preparation or deliberate anticipation of what shall be said and how it shall be spoken, all this preparation comes to nought, and the anticipation is disappointed, if not totally reversed.