won't stay longer this evening. A pleasant journey to you!'

He shook hands, and left the room. In the hall Miss Barfoot came to
meet him; they exchanged a few words, unimportant and without reference
to what had passed between him and Rhoda. Nor did Rhoda speak of the
matter when joined by her friend. She retired early, having settled all
the arrangements for her departure by the ten o'clock express from
Euston next morning.

Her luggage was to consist of one trunk and a wallet with a strap,
which would serve the purposes of a man's knapsack. Save the
indispensable umbrella, she carried no impeding trifles. A new costume,
suitable for shore and mountain, was packed away in the trunk; Miss
Barfoot had judged of its effect, and was of opinion that it became the
wearer admirably.

But Rhoda, having adjusted everything that she was going to take with
her, still had an occupation which kept her up for several hours. From
a locked drawer she brought forth packets of letters, the storage of
many years, and out of these selected carefully perhaps a tithe, which
she bound together and deposited in a box; the remainder she burnt in
the empty fireplace. Moreover, she collected from about the room a
number of little objects, ornaments and things of use, which also found
a place in the same big box. All her personal property which had any
value for her, except books, was finally under lock and key, and in
portable repositories. But still she kept moving, as if in search of
trifles that might have escaped her notice; silently, in her soft
slippers, she strayed hither and thither, till the short summer night
had all but given place to dawn; and when at length weariness compelled
her to go to bed, she was not able to sleep.

Nor did Mary Barfoot enjoy much sleep that night. She lay thinking, and
forecasting strange possibilities.

On Monday evening, returned from Great Portland Street, the first thing
she did was to visit Rhoda's chamber. The ashes of burnt paper had been
cleared away, but a glance informed her of the needless and
unprecedented care with which Miss Nunn had collected and packed most
of the things that belonged to her. Again Mary had a troubled night.

CHAPTER XXII

HONOUR IN DIFFICULTIES

At Mrs. Cosgrove's, this Sunday afternoon, Monica had eyes and thoughts
for one person only. Her coming at all was practically an appointment
to meet Bevis, whom she had seen twice since her visit to the flat. A
da