his acquaintance. He
urged Marcella to invite friendly calls, to have guests at dinner. There seemed
to be a general revival of his energies, exhibited in the sphere of study as
well as of amusement. Not a day went by without his purchasing books or
scientific apparatus, and the house was brightened with works of art chosen in
the studios which Miss Walworth advised him to visit. All the amiabilities of
his character came into free play; with Marcella he was mirthful, affectionate,
even caressing. He grew scrupulous about his neckties, his gloves, and was
careful to guard his fingers against corroding acids when he worked in the
laboratory. Such indications of hopefulness caused Marcella more misgiving than
pleasure; she made no remark, but waited with anxiety for some light on the
course of events.
    Just before dinner, one evening, as she sat alone in the drawing-room,
Christian entered with a look which portended some strange announcement. He
spoke abruptly:
    »I have heard something astonishing.«
    »What is that?«
    »This afternoon I went to the matinée at the Vaudeville, and found myself
among a lot of our friends - the Walworths and the Hunters and the Mortons.
Between the acts I was talking to Hunter, when a man came up to us, spoke to
Hunter, and was introduced to me - a Mr. Warricombe. What do you think he said?
I believe you know my friend Peak, Mr. Moxey? Peak? To be sure! Can you tell me
what has become of him? He gave me an odd look. Why, I met him last, some two
months ago, in Devonshire. At that moment we were obliged to go to our places,
and I couldn't get hold of the fellow again. Hunter told me something about him;
he knows the Walworths, it seems - belongs to a good Devonshire family. What on
earth can Peak be doing over there?«
    Marcella kept silence. The event she had judged improbable had come to pass.
The chance of its doing so had of course increased since Christian began to
associate freely with the Walworths and their circle. Yet, considering the
slightness of the connection between that group of people and the Warricombe
family, there had seemed no great likelihood of Christian's getting acquainted
with the latter. She debated rapidly in her troubled mind how to meet this
disclosure. Curiosity would, of course, impel her brother to follow up the clue;
he would again encounter Warricombe, and must then learn all the facts of Peak's
position. To what purpose should she dissemble