very nicely. And when I went away, he shook hands.'

'It's a very queer thing that you happened to go just today. That's
exactly where I meant to take you this afternoon. I'm rather
disappointed.'

'I'm very sorry. But couldn't I go with you again? We shall be alone
this time: Mr. Egremont said he was just going.'

'It won't tire you?'

'Oh, but I should like to go! I made up my mind which'll be Lyddy's
room. I wonder whether you'll guess the same.'

'Come along, then!'

CHAPTER XIV

MISTS

Paula Tyrrell was married at Easter. Convenience dictated this
speed--in other words, Paula resolved to commence the season as Mrs.
Dalmaine and in a house of her own. Mr. Dalmaine had pointed out the
advantage of using the Easter recess. As there was scarcely time to
select and make ready an abode for permanence, it was decided to take a
house in Kensington, which friends of the Tyrrells desired to let for
the year.

Annabel was not present at the wedding. It was the second week in March
before Mr. Newthorpe felt able to leave Ullswater, and Annabel had
little mind to leave him for such a purpose immediately after their
establishment at Eastbourne. Indeed, she would rather not have attended
the wedding under any circumstances.

Her father had been gravely ill. There was organic disease, and there
was what is vaguely called nervous breakdown; it was too clear that Mr.
Newthorpe must count upon very moderate activity either of mind or body
henceforth. He himself was not quite unprepared for this collapse; he
accepted it with genial pessimism. Fate had said that his life was to
result in nothing--nothing, that is, from the point of view of his
early aspirations. Yet there was Annabel, and in her the memory of his
life's passion. As he lay in silence through the days when spring
combated with winter, he learned acquiescence; after all, he was among
the happier of men, for he could look back upon a few days of great
joy, and forward without ignoble anxiety.

He felt that the abandonment of Ullswater was final, yet would not say
so to Annabel. Mrs. Ormonde had made ready a house at a short distance
from her own, and here the two would live at all events into the
summer; beyond that, all must hinge on circumstances. They broke the
journey for a couple of days in London, staying with their relatives.
During those days Paula behaved very prettily. A certain affection had
grown up between her and her uncle whilst she w