he learnt that Miss Madeley was about to return to
London; she had obtained a new engagement, at the establishment in
Holborn of which Patty had spoken.

"And will she come back to her old lodgings?" he inquired.

Patty shook her head.

"She'll stay with me. I wanted her to come here before, but she didn't
care about it. Now she's altered her mind, and I'm very glad."

Hilliard hesitated in putting the next question.

"Do you still feel anxious about her?"

The girl met his eyes for an instant.

"No. It's all right now."

"There's one thing I should like you to tell me--if you can."

"About Miss Madeley?"

"I don't think there can be any harm in your saying yes or no. Is she
engaged to be married?"

Patty replied with a certain eagerness.

"No! Indeed she isn't. And she never has been."

"Thank you." Hilliard gave a sigh of relief. "I'm very glad to know
that."

"Of course you are," Patty answered, with a laugh.

As usual, after one of her frank remarks, she turned away and struck
chords on the piano. Hilliard meditated the while, until his companion
spoke again.

"You'll see her before long, I dare say?"

"Perhaps. I don't know."

"At all events, you'll _want_ to see her."

"Most likely."

"Will you promise me something?"

"If it's in my power to keep the promise."

"It's only--I should be so glad if you wouldn't mention anything about
my coming to see you that night in Gower Place."

"I won't speak of it."

"Quite sure?"

"You may depend upon me. Would you rather she didn't know that I have
seen you at all?"

"Oh, there's no harm in that. I should be sure to let it out. I shall
say we met by chance somewhere."

"Very well. I feel tempted to ask a promise iii return."

Patty stood with her hands behind her, eyes wide and lips slightly
apart.

"It is this," he continued, lowering his voice. "If ever you should
begin to feel anxious again about her will you let me know?"

Her reply was delayed; it came at length in the form of an embarrassed
nod. Thereupon Hilliard pressed her hand and departed.

He knew the day on which Eve would arrive in London; from morning to
night a feverish unrest drove him about the streets. On the morrow he
was scarcely more at ease, and for several days he lived totally
without occupation, save in his harassing thoughts. He paced and
repaced the length of Holborn, wondering where it was that Eve had
found employment; but from Camden Town he held aloof.