de in the bedroom by the girl who
fancied her asleep had greatly disturbed her conception of him. He was
old, and looked still older to a casual eye. He had a stiff dry way,
and already had begun to show how precise and exacting he could be. A
year or two ago the image of such a man would have repelled her. She
did not think it possible to regard him with warm feelings; yet, if he
asked her to marry him--and that seemed likely to happen very
soon--almost certainly her answer would be yes. Provided, of course,
that all he had told her about himself could be in some satisfactory
way confirmed.

Her acquaintance with him was an extraordinary thing. With what
amazement and rapture would any one of her shop companions listen to
the advances of a man who had six hundred a year! Yet Monica did not
doubt this truthfulness and the honesty of his intentions. His
life-story sounded credible enough, and the very dryness of his manner
inspired confidence. As things went in the marriage war, she might
esteem herself a most fortunate young woman. It seemed that he had
really fallen in love with her; he might prove a devoted husband. She
felt no love in return; but between the prospect of a marriage of
esteem and that of no marriage at all there was little room for
hesitation. The chances were that she might never again receive an
offer from a man whose social standing she could respect.

In the meantime there had come a civil little note from the girl whose
rooms she was to share. 'Miss Barfoot has spoken of you so favourably
that I did not think it necessary to see you before consenting to what
she suggested. Perhaps she has told you that I have my own furniture;
it is very plain, but, I think, comfortable. For the two rooms, with
attendance, I pay eight and sixpence a week; my landlady will ask
eleven shillings when there are two of us, so that your share would be
five-and-six. I hope you won't think this is too much. I am a quiet and
I think a very reasonable person.' The signature was 'Mildred H.
Vesper.'

The day of release arrived. As it poured with rain all the morning,
Monica the less regretted that she had been obliged to postpone her
meeting with Widdowson. At breakfast-time she said good-bye to the
three or four girls in whom she had any interest. Miss Eade was
delighted to see her go. This rival finally out of the way, Mr.
Bullivant might perchance turn his attention to the faithful admirer
who remained.

She went by