She held out her hand; Amelius kissed it in silence. Rufus led him out.
Not a word dropped from his lips on the long drive back to London.

His mind was disturbed by other subjects besides the subject of Sally.
He thought of his future, darkened by the doubtful marriage-engagement
that was before him. Alone with Rufus, for the rest of the evening, he
petulantly misunderstood the sympathy with which the kindly American
regarded him. Their bedrooms were next to each other. Rufus heard him
walking restlessly to and fro, and now and then talking to himself.
After a while, these sounds ceased. He was evidently worn out, and was
getting the rest that he needed, at last.

The next morning he received a few lines from Mrs. Payson, giving a
favourable account of Sally, and promising further particulars in a day
or two.

Encouraged by this good news, revived by a long night's sleep, he went
towards noon to pay his postponed visit to Regina. At that early hour,
he could feel sure that his interview with her would not be interrupted
by visitors. She received him quietly and seriously, pressing his hand
with a warmer fondness than usual. He had anticipated some complaint
of his absence on the previous day, and some severe allusion to his
appearance in the capacity of a Socialist lecturer. Regina's indulgence,
or Regina's interest in circumstances of more pressing importance,
preserved a merciful silence on both subjects.

"It is a comfort to me to see you, Amelius," she said; "I am in trouble
about my uncle, and I am weary of my own anxious thoughts. Something
unpleasant has happened in Mr. Farnaby's business. He goes to the City
earlier, and he returns much later, than usual. When he does come back,
he doesn't speak to me--he locks himself into his room; and he looks
worn and haggard when I make his breakfast for him in the morning.
You know that he is one of the directors of the new bank? There was
something about the bank in the newspaper yesterday which upset him
dreadfully; he put down his cup of coffee--and went away to the City,
without eating his breakfast. I don't like to worry you about it,
Amelius. But my aunt seems to take no interest in her husband's
affairs--and it is really a relief to me to talk of my troubles to you.
I have kept the newspaper; do look at what it says about the bank, and
tell me if you understand it!"

Amelius read the passage pointed out to him. He knew as little of
banking business as Regi