ited, and Julian bade him good
night at the door.

At six o'clock Julian arose. It was still quite dark when he left the
house, and the air was piercing. But he did not mind the weather this
morning. His step had a vigour very different from the trailing
weariness of the night before, and he looked straight before him as he
walked. There was a heat on his forehead which the raw breath of the
morning could not allay. Before he had gone half a mile, he flung open
his overcoat, as if it oppressed him. It was in the direction of
Westminster that he walked. Out of Victoria Street he took the same
turn as on one miserable night, one which he had taken on many a night
since then. But he was far too early at the prison gate. He strayed
about the little streets of the neighbourhood, his eyes gazing absently
in this or that direction, his hot breath steaming up in the grey
light. When it was drawing near the time, he made some inquiries from a
policeman whom he passed. Then he went to the spot whither he was
directed, and watched. Two or three people, of poor appearance, were
also standing about, waiting. Julian kept apart from them. First, a
miserable old woman, huddling herself in a dirty shawl; looking on all
sides with a greedy eye; hastening off no one knew whither. Then two
young girls, laughing aloud at their recovered liberty; they repaired
at once to the nearest public-house. Then a figure of quite different
appearance, coming quickly forward, hesitating, gazing around; a
beautiful face, calm with too great self-control, sad, pale. Towards
her Julian advanced.

"Mr. Waymark was unavoidably prevented from coming," he said quickly.
"But he has taken rooms for you. You will let me go with you, and show
you the house?"

"Thank you," was Ida's only reply.

They walked together into the main street, and Julian stopped the first
empty cab that passed. As he sat opposite to her, his eyes, in spite of
himself, kept straying to her face. Gazing at her, Casti's eyes grew
dim. He forced himself not to look at her again till the cab stopped.

"They are prepared for you here," he said, as they stood on the
pavement. "Just give your name. And--you will not go away? You will
wait till some one calls?"

Ida nodded.

"No; but your word," Julian urged anxiously. "Promise me."

"I promise."

She went up to the door and knocked. Julian walked quickly away. At the
end of the street Mr. Woodstock was waiting.

"What's the matter?