the
opportunity came. Noticing Henry deep in a book after supper, Mrs.
Arkwright asked if he intended to remain indoors all the evening, and
being answered in the affirmative, suggested that she would mention the
fact to Mr. P., who was also disengaged. Henry assenting, continued with
the book, a new novel that was provoking a storm of criticism, and which
he had determined to review himself.

Not long after Mrs. Arkwright had left him there came a knock at his
door. To the invitation of a cheery "Come in," Mr. Phineas Puddephatt
stepped across the threshold, bringing a new and powerful influence into
the life of Henry Charles.

CHAPTER XV

"THE MYSTERIOUS MR. P."

THE mysterious Mr. P. was revealed to the eye of his fellow-lodger as a
man of medium height, well built, almost soldierly in the carriage of
his body, with a pale, colourless face, clean shaven as an actor's, his
hair, though plentiful, fast turning grey. The velvet jacket which he
wore, together with the studied negligence of his necktie, were
distinctly marks of affectation, if Henry had an eye for such, and it is
more than possible he had. Still, the general effect of Mr. P.'s
appearance must have been generally favourable to the young man who rose
to greet him as he entered the room. It went some way to support the
romantic picture of him which Henry had sketched out in his mind, and
nothing is more flattering to our self-esteem than thus to find
ourselves anticipating Nature. 'Tis easily done, however, given the fact
that the unknown scrapes a fiddle. Yet why should musicians proclaim
their profession in their person as plainly as any stableboy his? The
amateur is even more professional in his appearance than the
professional himself.

As Mr. P. closed the door and advanced some steps to shake hands with
the occupant of the room, his pale features were lit up by a smile that
put Henry at his ease forthwith, for there had been a momentary revolt
of shyness in the young man's mind after expressing his desire to meet
the gentleman from upstairs. It was a worn man of the world and a very
provincial young man who shook hands.

"You will pardon this late and informal visit, Mr. Charles," said Mr.
Puddephatt, "but it has seemed so unneighbourly never to have met you
before, and you are so much engaged, that I determined to take the first
opportunity of passing an hour with you."

"I am ind