ion, yet walked for a mile or two at his
topmost speed. Then a consuming thirst drove him into the nearest place
where drink was sold. At six o'clock he remembered that he had not
eaten since breakfast; he dined extravagantly, and afterwards fell
asleep in the smoking-room of the restaurant. A waiter with difficulty
aroused him, and persuaded him to try the effect of the evening air. An
hour later he sank in exhaustion on one of the benches near the river,
and there slept profoundly until stirred by a policeman.

"What's the time?" was his inquiry, as he looked up at the starry sky.

He felt for his watch, but no watch was discoverable. Together with the
gold chain it had disappeared.

"Damnation! someone has robbed me."

The policeman was sympathetic, but reproachful.

"Why do you go to sleep on the Embankment at this time of night? Lost
any money?"

Yes, his money too had flown; luckily, only a small sum. It was for the
loss of his watch and chain that he grieved; they had been worn for
years by his father, and on that account had a far higher value for him
than was represented by their mere cost.

As a matter of form, he supplied the police with information concerning
the theft. Of recovery there could be little hope.

Thoroughly awakened and sober, he walked across London to Gower Place
arriving in the light of dawn. Too spiritless to take off his clothing,
he lay upon the bed, and through the open window watched a great cloud
that grew rosy above the opposite houses.

Would Eve be at the place of meeting today? It seemed to him totally
indifferent whether she came or not; nay, he all but hoped that she
would not. He had been guilty of prodigious folly. The girl belonged to
another man; and even had it not been so, what was the use of flinging
away his money at this rate? Did he look for any reward correspondent
to the sacrifice? She would never love him, and it was not in his power
to complete the work he had begun, by freeing her completely from harsh
circumstances, setting her in a path of secure and pleasant life.

But she would not come, and so much the better. With only himself to
provide for he had still money enough to travel far. He would see
something of the great world, and leave his future to destiny.

He dozed for an hour or two.

Whilst he was at breakfast a letter arrived for him. He did not know
the handwriting on the envelope, but it must be Eve's. Yes. She wrote a
couple of lines: "I