The Paying Guest

aking some resolve. Emmeline, on her part, braced her courage for the step on which she had decided. Luncheon awaited them, but it would be mu

ick remarked coldly. 'I'm very sorry, but

o be putting a restraint upon herself, and

d Emmeline, in a friendly tone,

u to do me a great ki

girl paused a moment,

this for my board and lodging. Of course I shall not go home; I shouldn't dream of it; I'd rather earn my living as-as a scullery maid. I want to ask you

aintain her purpose; it shamed her to behave like the ordinary landlady, to appear actuated by mean motives. But the do

swered gently. 'Are you acting wisely? Wou

ushed with anger, her eyes glaring,

you don't care what becomes of me. I'll send for my luggage; you shan't be troubled with it long. A

aid Emmeline, 'Your tem

lse is ever to blame. I wouldn't stay another ni

e of herself, or at all events ought to be. Perhaps this was the only possible issue of the difficulties in which they had all become involved; neither Louise nor her parents could be dealt with in the rational, peace

mmeline now sat at table? No; straight through the hall, and out at the front door, which closed, however, qu

nks. Drawers were left open, as if to exhibit their emptiness, but in other respects the room looked tidy enough. Neatness and order came by no means naturall

hing, she felt hungry; at Sutton her appetite had been keen, and meal-times were always welcome. She entered the refreshment room, and with inward murmurs made a repast which reminded her of the excellent l

ed so much that she looked about for shadow. Before her was the towering ugliness of the Grand Stand; this she had seen and admired when driving past it with her friends; it did not now attract her. In another direction the Downs w

, in their reverie, seemed to behold a pleasant promise. Unconsciously she plucked and tasted the sweet stems of grass that grew about her. At length, the sun's movements having robbed her of shadow, she rose, looked at her watch, and glanced around for another retreat. Hard

, west, and north, lay the wooded landscape, soft of hue beneath the summer sky, spreading its tranquil beauty far away to the mists of the horizon. In vivacious company she would have called it, and perhaps have thought it, a charmin

ent. Doubtless it might be procured at the inn yonder, near the racecourse, and thither she began to move. Her thoughts were more at rest; she had made her plan for the evening; all that had to be done was to kill time for another hour or so. Walking lightly over the

in train from London Bridge. As the train came in she took up a position near the exit. Among the people

e same train?' he asked,

I wanted to see you, Mr. Mumford.

In the

f you don

platform. Louise, keeping a very grave countenance, told him rapidly

eemed to want to get rid of me. I feel sure she didn't really want to send me away: she was only advising me, as she thought, for my good. But I can't, and won't, go home. And I've been waiting all the afternoon to see you. No; not here. I went to Epsom Do

she looked him in the face, and it was Mumford who had t

ll be glad to let you come

think Mrs. Mumford would forgive me? I have made up my mind what to do,

barrassment, but feeling that he had n

r. And perhaps you could talk to Mrs. Mumford, and-and prepare her. I mean, perhaps you wouldn't mind saying you were sorry I had gone so suddenly.

sement. He looked into the girl's face and saw its prettiness flush wi

you do in th

nd have something to ea

dreadfully ti

so grateful to you, Mr. Mumford. If you won't let me come, I supp

out half-past eight. We sha

f the station he walked slowly, in part to calm himself, to assume his ordi

to notice anything peculiar in her husband's aspect. She

ack again. But she won't come now, and it is a good thing to have done with the wretched business. I only hope she will tell the truth to her peop

t had happened at the station, but he saw

should not believe his innocence of previous plotting with Miss Derrick, or at all events should be irritated by the circumstances into refusing Louise a lodging for the ni

it's a good thing she has gone; but I wish it ha

had heard Mrs. Higgins! Oh, what dreadful

sorry I got you in for such horrors.

eturned to her regret that the girl should have gone so suddenly. Clarence, declaring that he would allow himself a

ows are discarding waistcoats and wearing what they call a cummerbund-silk sash ro

hat we lose the money?'

l do well enou

t there remained no doubt who the person was. Louise came forwar

ldn't-without askin

attitude, and Emmeline, though pierced with vexati

he way back from Lon

y-and oh, I'm so tired and miserable! Will you let

very far from my wish to see you go off at a m

mounted to nothing, did not alter the facts of the situation. But what could be at the root of her seemingly so foolish existence? Emmeline held to the view that she was in love with the man Cobb, though perhaps unwilling to admit it, even in her own silly mind. It might be so, and, if so, it made her more int

the house. Emmeline a

resaw it. Is

She'll go to morrow

ould be sur