 with an
air of patience.
    »What do you say to this?« he asked of his wife, in a tone civil indeed, but
very far from cordial.
    »I have been trying to show mother that I cannot do as she wishes. It is
very kind of her, but, unless you think it would be better for me to stay, I
shall of course accompany you.«
    »You can stay if you like.«
    Adela understood too well what that permission concealed.
    »I have no wish to stay.«
    Mutimer turned his look on Mrs. Waltham, without saying anything.
    »Then I can say no more,« Mrs. Waltham replied. »But you must understand
that I take leave of my daughter with the deepest concern. I hope you will
remember that her health for a long time has been anything but good, and that
she was never accustomed to do hard and coarse work.«
    »We won't talk any more of this, mother,« Adela interposed firmly. »I am
sure you need have no fear that I shall be tried beyond my strength. You must
remember that I go with my husband.«
    The high-hearted one! She would have died rather than let her mother
perceive that her marriage was less than happy. To the end she would speak that
word my husband, when it was necessary to speak it at all, with the confidence
of a woman who knows no other safeguard against the ills of life. To the end she
would shield the man with her own dignity, and protect him as far as possible
even against himself.
    Mutimer smiled again, this time with satisfaction.
    »I certainly think we can take care of ourselves,« he remarked briefly.
    In a few minutes they were joined by Alfred, who had only just returned from
Belwick, and dinner was served. It was not a cheerful evening. At Adela's
request it had been decided in advance that the final leave-taking should be
to-night; she and Mutimer would drive to Agworth station together with Alfred
the first thing in the morning. At ten o'clock the parting came. Letty could not
speak for sobbing; she just kissed Adela and hurried from the room. Mrs. Waltham
preserved a rather frigid stateliness.
    »Good-bye, my dear,« she said, when released from her daughter's embrace. »I
hope I may have good news from you.«
    With Mutimer she shook hands.
    It was a starry and cold night. The two walked side by side without
speaking
