tion, instinct made him seek continually
for notice, prominence, comment. These fundamental appetites had urged
him into public life--to the Borough Council and the Committee of the
Wedgwood Institution. He often affected to be buried in cogitation upon
municipal and private business affairs, when in fact his attention was
disengaged and watchful. Leonora knew that this was so to-night. The
idea of his duplicity took possession of her mind. Deeps yawned before
her, deeps that swallowed up the solid and charming house and the
comfortable family existence, as she glanced at that face at once
strange and familiar to her. 'Is it all right?' she kept thinking. 'Is
John all that he seems? I wonder whether he has ever committed murder.'
Yes, even this absurd thought, which she knew to be absurd, crossed her
mind.

'Where's Rose?' he demanded suddenly in the depressing silence of the
tea-table, as if he had just discovered the absence of his second
daughter.

'She's been working in her room all day,' said Leonora.

'That's no reason why she should be late for tea.'

At that moment Rose entered. She was very tall and pale, her dress was a
little dowdy. Like her father and Millicent, she carried her head
forward and had a tendency to look downwards, and her spine seemed
flaccid. Ethel was beautiful, or about to be beautiful; Millicent was
pretty; Rose plain. Rose was deficient in style. She despised style, and
regarded her sisters as frivolous ninnies and gadabouts. She was the
serious member of the family, and for two years had been studying for
the Matriculation of London University.

'Late again!' said her father. 'I shall stop all this exam work.'

Rose said nothing, but looked resentful.

When the hot dishes had been partaken of, Bessie was dismissed, and
Leonora waited for the bursting of the storm. It was Millicent who drew
it down.

'I think I shall go down to Burgesses, after all, mamma. It's quite
light,' she said with audacious pertness.

Her father looked at her.

'What were you doing this afternoon, Milly?'

'I went out for a walk, pa.'

'Who with?'

'No one.'

'Didn't I see you on the canal-side with young Ryley?'

'Yes, father. He was going back to the works after dinner, and he just
happened to overtake me.'

Milly and Ethel exchanged a swift glance.

'Happened to overtake you! I saw you as I was driving past, over the
canal bridge. You little thought that I saw you.'

'Well, father, I cou