sey.

Monica, when she heard of this project, was at first moderately
grateful, but in a day or two showed by reviving strength and spirits
that she looked forward eagerly to the departure. Her husband
advertised for lodgings in St. Peter Port; he would not face the
disagreeable chances of a hotel. In a fortnight's time all their
preparations were made. During their absence, which might extend over a
month, Virginia was to live at Herne Hill, in supervision of the two
servants.

On the last Sunday Monica went to see her friends in Queen's Road.
Widdowson was ashamed to offer an objection; he much disliked her going
there alone, but disliked equally the thought of accompanying her, for
at Miss Barfoot's he could not pretend to sit, stand, or converse with
ease.

It happened that Mrs. Cosgrove was again calling. On the first occasion
of meeting with Monica this lady paid her no particular attention;
to-day she addressed her in a friendly manner, and their conversation
led to the discovery that both of them were about to spend the ensuing
month in the same place. Mrs. Cosgrove hoped they might occasionally
see each other.

Of this coincidence Monica thought better to say nothing on her return
home. She could not be sure that her husband might not, at the last
moment, decide to stay at Herne Hill rather than incur the risk of her
meeting an acquaintance in Guernsey. On this point he could not be
trusted to exercise common sense. For the first time Monica had a
secret she desired to keep from him, and the necessity was one which
could not but have an unfavourable effect on her manner of regarding
Widdowson. They were to start on Monday evening. Through the day her
mind was divided between joy in the thought of seeing a new part of the
world and a sense of weary dislike for her home. She had not understood
until now how terrible would be the prospect of living here for a long
time with no companionship but her husband's. On the return that
prospect would lie before her. But no; their way of life must somehow
be modified; on that she was resolved.

CHAPTER XVI

HEALTH FROM THE SEA

From Herne Hill to St. Peter Port was a change which made of Monica a
new creature. The weather could not have been more propitious; day
after day of still air and magnificent sky, with temperature which made
a brisk walk at any hour thoroughly enjoyable, yet allowed one to sit
at ease in the midday sunshine. Their lodgings were in