t, every word of it. I shouldn't talk to everyone
like this, you know; but it's as well to show a friend one's best
qualities now and then.'

'Is Reardon still living at the old place?'

'No, no. They sold up everything and let the flat. He's in lodgings
somewhere or other. I'm not quite intimate enough with him to go and see
him under the circumstances. But I'm surprised you know nothing about
it.'

'I haven't seen much of them this year. Reardon--well, I'm afraid he
hasn't very much of the virtue you claim for yourself. It rather annoys
him to see me going ahead.'

'Really? His character never struck me in that way.'

'You haven't come enough in contact with him. At all events, I can't
explain his change of manner in any other way. But I'm sorry for him;
I am, indeed. At a hospital? I suppose Carter has given him the old job
again?'

'Don't know. Biffen doesn't talk very freely about it; there's a good
deal of delicacy in Biffen, you know. A thoroughly good-hearted fellow.
And so is Reardon, I believe, though no doubt he has his weaknesses.'

'Oh, an excellent fellow! But weakness isn't the word. Why, I foresaw
all this from the very beginning. The first hour's talk I ever had
with him was enough to convince me that he'd never hold his own. But he
really believed that the future was clear before him; he imagined he'd
go on getting more and more for his books. An extraordinary thing that
that girl had such faith in him!'

They parted soon after this, and Milvain went homeward, musing upon what
he had heard. It was his purpose to spend the whole evening on some
work which pressed for completion, but he found an unusual difficulty
in settling to it. About eight o'clock he gave up the effort, arrayed
himself in the costume of black and white, and journeyed to Westbourne
Park, where his destination was the house of Mrs Edmund Yule. Of the
servant who opened to him he inquired if Mrs Yule was at home, and
received an answer in the affirmative.

'Any company with her?'

'A lady--Mrs Carter.'

'Then please to give my name, and ask if Mrs Yule can see me.'

He was speedily conducted to the drawing-room, where he found the lady
of the house, her son, and Mrs Carter. For Mrs Reardon his eye sought in
vain.

'I'm so glad you have come,' said Mrs Yule, in a confidential tone. 'I
have been wishing to see you. Of course, you know of our sad trouble?'

'I have heard of it only to-day.'

'From Mr Reardon himself?'