"At the West Kensington station—she was going to Victoria. I had walked with her there, and our talk was all on the way." In the full face of what she was keeping back such a hope could only make her wince; but she was prompt with her explanations in proportion as she felt they failed to meet him. The smutty maid came in with tea-things, and Fleda, moving several objects, eagerly accepted the diversion of arranging a place for them on one of the tables. "I've been trying to break your mother down because it has seemed there may be some chance of it. That's why I've let you go on expecting it. She's too proud to veer round all at once, but I think I speak correctly in saying that I've made an impression."!

"Didn't you ask?" Mrs. Gereth spoke as if she might have said, "What then were you doing all the while?" "How can I get at him? He'll come when he's ready," Fleda replied.

"It displeased her fearfully," said Owen, looking very queer. "Why not to Waterbath at once?" Fleda asked. Fleda faltered a moment. "I think she has gone too far." Then she added: "I shall immediately tell her that I've said that to you."