 you very much for telling me, and still
more for refusing to believe that I could treat Mr Yule in that way, even as a
matter of business. When I said that I was despicable, I didn't mean that I
could sink quite to such a point as that. If only because it was your father -«
    He checked himself, and they walked on for several yards without speaking.
    »In that case,« Jasper resumed at length, »your father doesn't think of me
in a very friendly way?«
    »He scarcely could -«
    »No, no. And I quite understand that the mere fact of my working for Fadge
would prejudice him against me. But that's no reason, I hope, why you and I
shouldn't be friends?«
    »I hope not.«
    »I don't know that my friendship is worth much,« Jasper continued, talking
into the upper air, a habit of his when he discussed his own character. »I shall
go on as I have begun and fight for some of the good things of life. But your
friendship is valuable. If I am sure of it, I shall be at all events within
sight of the better ideals.«
    Marian walked on with her eyes upon the ground. To her surprise she
discovered presently that they had all but reached St Paul's Crescent.
    »Thank you for having come so far,« she said pausing.
    »Ah, you are nearly home. Why, it seems only a few minutes since we left the
girls. Now I'll run back to the whisky of which Maud disapproves.«
    »May it do you good!« said Marian with a laugh.
    A speech of this kind seemed unusual upon her lips. Jasper smiled as he held
her hand and regarded her.
    »Then you can speak in a joking way?«
    »Do I seem so very dull?«
    »Dull, by no means. But sage and sober and reticent - and exactly what I
like in my friend, because it contrasts with my own habits. All the better that
merriment lies below it. Good-night, Miss Yule.«
    He strode off, and in a minute or two turned his head to look at the slight
figure passing into darkness.
    Marian's hand trembled as she tried to insert her latchkey. When she had
closed the door very quietly behind her she went to the sitting-room; Mrs Yule
was just laying aside the sewing on which she had occupied herself throughout
the lonely evening.
