him.
And there he came face to face with two people whom he knew. Mr.
Dalmaine was just turning from the stall with an evening paper, and by
his side was Paula. Egremont had not seen either since their marriage.

The three pairs of eyes focussed on one point. Egremont saluted--did it
nervously, for he was prepared for nothing less than an encounter with
acquaintances. He saw a smile come to Paula's face; he saw her on the
point of extending her hand; then, to his amazement, he heard a sharp
'Paula!' from Dalmaine, and husband and wife turned from him. It was
the cut direct, or would have been, but for that little piece of
impulsiveness on Paula's part. The two walked towards one of the
platforms, and it was plain that Dalmaine was delivering himself in an
undertone of a gentlemanly reproof.

He stood disconcerted. What might this mean? Was it merely an urbane
way of reminding him that he had neglected certain civilities demanded
by the social code? Dalmaine would doubtless be punctilious; he was a
rising politician. Yet the insult was too pronounced: it suggested some
grave ground of offence.

As the cab bore him homewards, he felt that this was an ominous event
for the moment of his return to London. He had had no heart to come
back; from the steamer he had gazed sadly on the sunny shores of
France, and on landing at Dover the island air was hard to breathe. Yet
harder the air of London streets. The meeting in the station became a
symbol of stiff, awkward, pretentious Anglicism. He had unkind
sentiments towards his native country, and asked himself how he was
going to live in England henceforth.

His room in Great Russell Street seemed to have suffered neglect during
his absence; his return was unexpected; everything seemed unhomely and
unwelcoming. The great front of the British Museum frowned, as if to
express disapproval of such aimless running hither and thither in one
who should be spending his days soberly and strenuously: even the
pigeons walked or flew with balance of purpose, with English
respectability. It seemed to have rained all day; the evening sky was
heavy and featureless.

The landlady presented herself. She was grieved exceedingly that she
had not known of Mr. Egremont's coming, but everything should be made
comfortable in less than no time. He would have a fire? To be sure; it
was a little chilly, though really 'summer has come upon us all at a
jump, whilst you've been away, sir.'

'I got yo