ng
on the table, so that his magazine might be lodged at exactly the right
distance and angle, and so that each necessary object might be quite
handy. He was in luxury, and he yielded himself to it absolutely. The
sense that unusual events were happening, that the course of social
existence was disturbed while his comfort was not disturbed, that danger
hung cloudy on the horizon--this sense somehow intensified the
appreciation of the hour, and positively contributed to his pleasure.
Moreover, he was agreeably excited by a dismaying anticipation affecting
himself alone.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two.

The door opened again, and Auntie Hamps was shown in by the servant.
Before he could move the old lady had with overwhelming sweet
supplications insisted that he should not move--no, not even to shake
hands! He rose only to shake hands, and then fell back into his
comfort. Auntie Hamps fixed a chair for herself opposite him, and
drummed her black-gloved hands on the white table-cloth. She was
steadily becoming stouter, and those chubby little hands seemed
impossibly small against the vast mountain of fur which was crowned by
her smirking crimson face and the supreme peak of her bonnet.

"They keep very friendly--those two," she remarked, with a strangely
significant air, when he told her where Maggie was. She had shown no
surprise at finding him alone, for the reason that she had already
learnt everything from the servant in the hall.

"Janet and Maggie? They're friendly enough when they can be of use to
each other."

"How kind Miss Janet was when your father was ill! I'm sure Maggie
feels she must do all she can to return her kindness," Mrs Hamps
murmured, with emotion. "I shall always be grateful for her
helpfulness! She's a grand girl, a grand girl!"

"Yes," said Edwin awkwardly.

"She's still waiting for you," said Mrs Hamps, not archly, but sadly.

Edwin restively poohed. At the first instant of her arrival he had been
rather glad to see her, for unusual events create a desire to discuss
them; but if she meant to proceed in that strain unuttered curses would
soon begin to accumulate for her in his heart.

"I expect the kid must be pretty bad," he said.

"Yes," sighed Mrs Hamps. "And probably poor Mrs Orgreave is more in
the way than anything else. And Mr Orgreave only just out of bed, as
you may say! ... That young lady must have her hands ful