Denzil Quarrier

upon the hearthrug slept profoundly; the fire was sunk to a still r

ised to turn a page, and it was long since her eyes had gathered the sense of the lines on which they were fixed. This attitude had been a favourite one with her

glanced at the windows,

r, her pale, pensive, youthful features, her slight figure in its loose raiment, could not have been more suitably displayed. In a room of statelier proportions she would have looked too frail, too young for significance; out of doors she was seldom seen to adv

for two persons only. Lilian, after looking at her watch, ignited the lam

even a passing footstep became a thing to notice. Some one approached on her side of the way she listened, but with disappointment; it was not the step for which she

quired the boy, hol

not light enough to read by; she had to enter the sitting

not get home before te

en turned with a sigh and

t the trimming of her sleeves. Lilian at first rewarded this friendliness only with absent stroking, but when she had drunk her tea and eaten a slice of brea

nted columns. Beginning with the leading-article, she read page after page in the most conscientious way, often pausing to reflect, and once even to pencil a note on the margin. The paper finished, she found it necessary for the clear understanding

e was to-day without a servant; she must needs descend into the kitchen herself and answer the summons. When the nether regions were illumin

aimed. "Please to come in. How have y

ly by the help already given her. The eye and the ear of experience would readily enough have perceived in Mrs. Wilson a very coarse type of impostor, and even Lilian, though showing a face of distress at what she heard, seemed to hesitate in her replies and to entertain troublesome doubts. But the objection she ventured to make to a

Mrs. Wilson, I do hope t

r two of what was meant for grave counsel whilst taking leave of her visitor. Mrs. Wilson, a g

iluted; the repast was laid out with perfection of neatness, and at its conclusion she cleared the table like the handiest of parlour-maids. Whatever she di

rested idly on the keyboard for some minutes, when they began to touch solemn chords, and at length there sounded the first notes of

f a latch-key at the front door. She stepped quickly out into the passage, where

ctionately, as he pulled off his overcoat.

d drew down his face to hers. "I was disappointed, but it's as w

t? How have yo

ont room, and Quarrier

me dreadful accident, and he's in a hospital. I saw she wished to go-so I gave her some money an

id right," he answered, a

d a dinner of my cooking

can't take her place in the

ome one for

about to-morrow morni

all easil

I'll turn out and see to breakfast. But you must get another girl; a seco

hink it n

ng, a look of ann

regard to Lilian's objection. "I had better tell you at once, Lily

looked at him wi

fri

spoke to me at Kew Station

ye

er fingers. Standing on the hearth-rug, her companion watched her closely

known him since I was a boy-a well-read man, thoughtful, clever. A good musician; something more than an amateur with the v

s!" said Lilian, w

tions. Never quite succeeded; there's the misfortune. I suppose he lacks p

and glanced absently over the columns.

m?" Lilian asked at le

e had reasons for keepi

horitative way, but with

As you know, I don't readily make friends, and I'm the last man to give my confidence to any one who doesn't deserve it. But Glazzard and I h

and frank in manner to appear conceited, but it was evident that his experience of life had encouraged a favourable estimate of his own standing and resources. The ring of his voice was sound; no affectation or insincerity

ject to his c

r you think

ds; they'll send a cook, or do something or other. If the girl had been here we should have managed well enough; Glazzard is no snob.-I want to smoke; come int

in the little back room, and Quarrier'

this last week I've been assailed along the street. I'll put a stop to that; I told a great hulking fellow to-night that

tures!" si

zard comes from my own town, Polterham. We were at the Grammar School there together; but h

older then? He

. He's going down to Polterham on Satu

him? Fo

see my brother-in-law. You w

my best to keep

eral candidate for Polterham at the next election. It surprised me rather; I shouldn't have thought he wa

sh to advise h

I should enjoy helping to kick them into space. No, I just want to talk it over with him

ng a quick glance at her, Quarri

-headed Tory; this is his third Parliament. They think he's going to set up his son next time-a fool

be made enthusiastic on

ve shot up. There's a huge sugar-refinery, and a place where they make jams. That kind of thing, you know, affects the spirit of a place. Manufacturers are generally go-ahead people, and mill-hands don't supp

ed and shoo

be calling them 'the

ld shout, 'can't you see on which side your interests lie? Are you going to let England be thrown into war and taxes just to please a theatrical Jew and

o," she answered, with soft fer

g-isn't that what yo

ur book is

nly pen-work. I have a notion that I was meant for active life, after all. If I had remained in the Navy, I should

er face shadowed once more, c