The Roll-Call

al garden of Bedford Square, which, lying off the main track to the northern termini, and with nothing baser in it than a consulate or so, took prec

heir employers and dupes,-the aspect of Bedford Square gave the illusion that evolution was not, and that Bloomsbury and the whole impressive structure of British society could never change. Still, from a more dubious Bloomsbury,

Enwright had never put up a building in their lives. Just as well to dwell now and then on wh

fully, with charm, and h

ing straight ahead. And he thought: "This chap has got his head screwed on. He'

ity, and of the marvellous distinction of Bedford Square, and of the moral obligation to harmonize socks with neckties, were preoccupying themselves with om

on the pavement. "You're g

red George, anxious to disavow any

and snatch a hasty".... 'Cup of tea'

ffi

es's. He would not frequent the orthodox tea-houses, which were all alike and which had other serious disadvantages.

till on?" Geor

not

little thing-t

ernly. "I don't mind telling you s

George raise

and his handsomeness v

er--"

d knew the world. And what he did could not be other than right. This notion comforted George, who had a small affair of his own, which he had not yet even mentioned to Lucas. Delicacy as well as diffidence

eetings were rather punctilious, but beneath superficial formalities shone the proofs of intimacy. They had had large opportunities to become intimate, and they had become intimate. The immediate origin of and excuse for the intimacy was a lampshade. George had needed a lampshade for his room, and she had offered to paint one. She submitted sketches. But George also could paint a bit. Hence discussions, conferences, rival designs, and, lastly, an agreement upon a composite design. Before long, the lampshade craze increasing in virulence, they had between them re-lamps

for tea?" she asked, lo

way to the Roman Catholic Cathedral-you know, the new on

ed, with ingenuous eagerness.

, he thought! Wh

nd walking?"

e that port

ers and accept whatever they chose to say. To him she was like a lovely and valiant martyr. The spectacle of her was touching. However, he could not have dared to hint at these sentiments. He had to pretend that her exposure to the stresses of the labour-market was quite natural and right. Always he was careful in his speech with her. When he g

walls and the scaffolding of the new restaurant. He poin

for itself amid the houses. Tier above tier the expensively curtained windows of dark drawing-rooms and bedrooms inhabited by thousands of the well-to-do blinked up at the colossal symbol that dwarfed them all. George knew that he was late. If the watchman's gate was shut for the night he would look a fool. But his confidence in his magic power successfully to run risks sustained him in a gallant and assured demeanour. The gate in the hoarding that screened the west front was open. With a large gesture he tipped the watchman a shilling, and they passed in like princes. The transition to the calm and dusty interior was instantaneous and almost overwhelming. Immense withou

ous girl at his elbow in that wonde

red, wit

l in the world? It's a much bigger cathedral than St. Paul'

hole of the nineteenth century only

h was

ve a margin all round. Mr. Enwright says this is the l

and more aware of

us-marvellous!

strong impulse to be confidential master

that competition-

t the smile h

positive

erit! She knew nothing whatever about any design in the competition. But it was her religion that the Lucas & Enwright design was the best, and by far the best. He had implanted the dogma, and he felt that she was ready to die for it. Mystery d

quietly and ordinarily, as if a

front of the apse, a figure had appeared in a frock-coat and a sil

Bentley! It's

e as an artisan, had succeeded supremely. And here he stood on the throne of his triumph. Genius would not be denied. Beauty would conquer despite everything. What completed the unbearable grandeur of the scene was that Bentley had cancer of the tongue, and was sentenced to death. Bentley's friends knew it; the world