ut the Reardons; nowadays he seldom heard
either of husband or wife.

The conversation that went on was so agreeable to Whelpdale, that he
lost consciousness of time. It was past eleven o'clock when Jasper felt
obliged to remind him.

'Dora, I think I must be taking you home.'

The visitor at once made ready for departure, and his leave-taking was
as respectful as his entrance had been. Though he might not say what
he thought, there was very legible upon his countenance a hope that he
would again be privileged to meet Miss Dora Milvain.

'Not a bad fellow, in his way,' said Jasper, when Dora and he were alone
again.

'Not at all.'

She had heard the story of Whelpdale's hapless wooing half a year ago,
and her recollection of it explained the smile with which she spoke.

'Never get on, I'm afraid,' Jasper pursued. 'He has his allowance of
twenty pounds a year, and makes perhaps fifty or sixty more. If I were
in his position, I should go in for some kind of regular business; he
has people who could help him. Good-natured fellow; but what's the use
of that if you've no money?'

They set out together, and walked to the girls' lodgings. Dora was about
to use her latch-key, but Jasper checked her. 'No. There's a light in
the kitchen still; better knock, as we're so late.'

'But why?'

'Never mind; do as I tell you.'

The landlady admitted them, and Jasper spoke a word or two with her,
explaining that he would wait until his elder sister's return; the
darkness of the second-floor windows had shown that Maud was not yet
back.

'What strange fancies you have!' remarked Dora, when they were upstairs.

'So have people in general, unfortunately.'

A letter lay on the table. It was addressed to Maud, and Dora recognised
the handwriting as that of a Wattleborough friend.

'There must be some news here,' she said. 'Mrs Haynes wouldn't write
unless she had something special to say.

Just upon midnight, a cab drew up before the house. Dora ran down to
open the door to her sister, who came in with very bright eyes and more
colour than usual on her cheeks.

'How late for you to be here!' she exclaimed, on entering the
sitting-room and seeing Jasper.

'I shouldn't have felt comfortable till I knew that you were back all
right.'

'What fear was there?'

She threw off her wraps, laughing.

'Well, have you enjoyed yourself?'

'Oh yes!' she replied, carelessly. 'This letter for me? What has Mrs
Haynes got to say,