n. He looked this way and that, as if
seeking for an escape. As Will began to move away, he kept at his side.

"Look here, Warburton, let me introduce you to them. They're very nice
people; I'm sure you'd like them; do let me--"

"Thank you, no. I don't want any new acquaintances."

"Why? Come along old man," urged the other. "You're getting too grumpy;
you live too much alone. Just to please me--"

"No!" answered Will, resolutely, walking on.

"Very well--just as you like. But, I say, should I find you at home
this evening? Say, nine o'clock. I particularly want to have a talk."

"Good. I'll be there," replied Will, and so, with knitted brows strode
away.

Very punctually did the visitor arrive that evening. He entered the
room with that same look of embarrassment which he had worn during the
brief colloquy at Kew; he shook hands awkwardly, and, as he seated
himself, talked about the fall of temperature since sunset, which made
a fire agreeable. Warburton, ashamed of the sullenness he could not
overcome, rolled this way and that in his chair, holding the poker and
making lunges with it at a piece of coal which would not break.

"That was a lucky chance," began Franks at length, "our meeting this
afternoon."

"Lucky? Why?"

"Because it has given me the courage to speak to you about something.
Queerest chance I ever knew that you should be there close by the
Crosses."

"Did they ask who I was?" inquired Warburton after a violent lunge with
the poker, which sent pieces of coal flying into the room.

"They didn't happen to see me whilst I was talking with you. But, in
any case," added Franks, "they wouldn't have asked. They're well-bred
people, you know--really ladies. I suspect you've had a different idea
of them. Wasn't that why you wouldn't let me introduce you?"

"Not at all," answered Will, with a forced laugh. "I've no doubt of
their ladyhood."

"The fact of the matter is," continued the other, crossing and
uncrossing, and re-crossing his legs in nervous restlessness, "that
I've been seeing them now and then since I told you I was going to call
there. You guess why? It isn't Mrs. Cross, depend upon it."

"Mrs. Cross's tea, perhaps?" said Will, with a hard grin.

"Not exactly. It's the worst tea I ever tasted. I must advise her to
change her grocer."

Warburton exploded in a roar of laughter, and cried, as Franks stared
wonderingly at him:

"You'll never make a better joke in your life than that