 with some very disagreeable people who have just
landed on their way from India - a military gentleman, and a more military lady,
and a most military son, relatives of ours. We spent last evening with them, and
I implored to be let off to-day.«
    Mallard propped himself idly, and from under the shadow of his hat often
looked at her. He had begun to wonder at the unreserved joy with which she
greeted his joining the party. Of course she could have no slightest suspicion
of what was in his mind; one moment's thought of him in such a light must have
altered her behaviour immediately. Altered in what way? That he in vain tried to
imagine; his knowledge of her did not go far enough. But he could not be wrong
in attributing unconsciousness to her. Moreover, with the inconsistency of a man
in his plight, he resented it. To sit thus, almost touching him, gazing freely
into his face, and yet to be in complete ignorance of suffering which racked
him, seemed incompatible with fine qualities either of heart or mind. What
rubbish was talked about woman's insight, about her delicate sympathies!
    »Mrs. Spence is very sorry not to see you occasionally, Mr. Mallard.«
    It was Miriam who spoke. Mallard was watching Cecily, and now, on turning
his head, he felt sure that Mrs. Baske had been observant of his countenance.
Her eyes fell whilst he was seeking words for a reply.
    »I shall call to see her to-morrow morning,« he said, »just to say good-bye
for a time.«
    »You really go to-morrow?« asked Cecily, with interest, but nothing more.
    »Yes. I hope to see Mrs. Lessingham for a moment also. Can you tell me when
she is likely to be at home?«
    »Certainly between two and three, if you could come then.«
    He waited a little, then looked unexpectedly at Miriam. Again her eyes were
fixed on him, and again they fell with something of consciousness. Did she,
perchance, understand him?
    His speculations concerning Cecily became comparative. In point of age, the
distance between Cecily and Miriam was of some importance; the fact that the
elder had been a married woman was of still more account. On the first day of
his meeting with Mrs. Baske, he had thought a good deal about her; since then
she had slipped from his mind, but now he felt his interest reviving. Surely she
was as remote from him
