she might
see her babies before they were put to bed; Williams's habit of
coming to work after six; kept them from meeting till the October of
1901. When they did meet after Honoria's return from Switzerland,
Beryl scanned the law student critically; decided he was rather
nice-looking but very pre-occupied; perhaps engaged to some girl
whose parents objected; rather mysterious, _quand meme_; she had
heard some one say this Mr. David Williams was a cousin or something
of Vivie Warren ... what if he were in love with Vivie and she had
gone away because she had some fad or other about not wanting to
marry? Well! All this could be looked into some other time, if it
were worth bothering about at all. Or could Williams be spoony on
Honoria? After her money? He was much younger--evidently--but young
men adored ripe women, and young girls idolized elderly soldiers.
_C'etait a voir_ (Beryl ever since she had been to Paris on a stolen
honeymoon with the architect liked saying things to herself in
French).

Towards the end of October, David received at Fig Tree Court a
letter from his father in Glamorganshire.

Pontystrad Vicarage,
_October_ 20, 1901.

MY DEAR SON,--

The improvement in my sight continues. I can now read a
little every day, by daylight, without pain or fatigue, and
write letters. I feel I owe you a long one; but I shall
write a portion each day and not try my eyes unduly.

I am glad to know you are now settled down in chambers at
Fig Tree Court in the Temple and have begun your studies for
the Bar. You could not have taken up a finer profession.
What seems to me so wonderful is that you should be able to
earn your living at the same time and be no charge on me. I
accept your assurances that you need no support; but never
forget, my dear Son, that if you _do_, I am ready and
willing to help. You sowed your wild oats--perhaps we both
exaggerated the sins of the wild years--at any rate you have
made a noble reparation. What a splendid school the Colonies
must be! What a difference between the David who left me
five years ago for Mr. Praed's studio and the David who
returned to me last summer! I can never be sufficiently
thankful to Almighty God for the change He has wrought in
you! No lip religion, but a change of heart. I presume you