The Paying Guest

sband smoked his pipe and looked on in the old comfortable way. They already felt that domestic life was not quite the same with a stranger to share it. Doubtless they would get used to the new restr

didn't feel quite free to come and go, without putting people out, there would be no comfort i

Theatre on Monday night. You mus

ch other. Yes, they could go; it w

b from Victoria and booked the places first thing. Third row from the front, dress circle; the best I

whom he usually had a chat on Saturday evening. Emmel

er. 'It's from Mr. Cobb; came yesterday, but I didn't care

me. It was a plain, formal letter, giving a brief account of his doings in Ireland, and making a request that Louise would mee

. That kind of thing will have to stop. I'm not going to think any mo

heartily

is afternoon. Because when he didn't see me on the Common he was pretty sure to call at the house, an

wer the letter?

rious. She said such things that I had to tell her very plainly what I thought of her; and she positively foamed at the mouth! "Now look here," she said, "if I find out that he goes to Sutton, you'll see what will happen." "What will happen?" I asked. "Father will stop your allowance, and you'll have to get on as best you can." "Oh, very well," I said, "in that case I shall marry Mr. Bo

ne int

f talk isn't at all ladylike

ised her chin slightly, and looked down from under her eyelids. 'Oh, I assure you I behaved quite nicely. But he got into a rage, as he always does, and began to call me names, and I wouldn't stand it. "Mr. Cobb," I said, very severely, "either you will conduct yourself properly, or you will leave the house." Then he tried another tone, and said very different things-the

r,' said Emmeline. 'Go on with your

row; it'll be so quiet and nice. And on Monday we shall go to the theatre, just for a change. A

eleven o'clock, and went off to bed

made friends with Miss Derrick, and greatly pleased that young lady by a skilful blending of "superior" talk with easy homeliness. Mr. Bilton, a stockbroker's clerk, represented the better kind of City young m

tton, Mr. Bilton. I sho

that I don't,' replied

ind. I'll fi

day passed pleasantly, but in Miss Derrick's opinion, rather soberly. Doing her best to fascinate Mr. Bilton, she felt a slight disappointment at her inability to engross his attention, and at the civil friendliness which he thought a suffici

eline, who on the whole was satisfied with

be, without you knowing it.

rule about i

d see her. Is Mr. Bilton often at her house?-Don't misunderstand me, Mrs. Mumford. It's only that I do like men's society; there's

ed Mrs. Mumford. 'But pray be careful not to seem "fo

gave an assurance that repose and m

s of her sensibilities was indeed remarkable, and Emmeline observed with pleasure that her mind seemed to have a very whol

urned over her wardrobe, numerous articles whereof were condemned by Mrs. Mumford's taste, and by Louise cheerfully sacrificed; she could not rest till new purchases had been made. So, after early luncheon, they took train to V

r last "outing" for a whole week. She admitted a feeling of restlessness, but after to-day she would

bout like this. I feel that I'm settling down.

ely necessary. Mr. Higgins had sent her a fresh supply of money, as there were still a few things she needed to

that a gentleman had called to see Miss Derrick; on learning that Miss Derrick was away, he had a

said Emmeline, a trifle agitated.

t, and heavy feet firmly planted on the carpet. He was respectably dressed, but nothing more, and in his large bare hands held a brown hat marked with a grease spot. One would have judge

rdon for troubling you. Perhaps you

een mentioned,' Emmeline replie

you,

re with difficulty the next remark, which at

. I suppose she is still livi

ch to anger him. For all that, he had by no means a truculent countenance. He was trying to smile, and his features softened

s for some time, I believe. She has on

you, Mrs. Mumford, and that's why I thought I would ask

mmeline, not displeased. 'I h

ng her to have nothing more to do with me. Of course you don't know me, and I've no doubt you do what you think the best for

alf expected an outbreak of violence. The man was growing very

at calm dignity. 'Miss Derrick's private affairs don't at all concern me. I

when we met last, I suppose most men would just let her go her own way. But-but somehow I can't do that. The thing is, I can't trust what she says; I d

u, nothing o

then Cobb's voice again s

We've known each other about a year, and

stess, 'that it would ever be possibl

a fight for the upper hand, but I know who'd ge

and her visitor joined in it with a

hat I will do nothing whate

f you, and it's all

o behave, asked him if he would call on ano

and that's where I'm at a disadvantage. I don't know whether there's anyone else, and I'm not asking you to tell me, if you k

shall do, Mr. Cobb, is to keep before her

g! Nobody can as

. That he did not offer to do so until invited, though he betrayed