d the noise of the train. May looked through one
window, Dyce through the other.

"In any case," exclaimed Lashmar, "I have discharged what I felt to be
a duty. I could not bear to think that you should be living with Miss
Bride, and totally misunderstanding her. I wanted you to do justice to
her noble self-sacrifice. Of course I have felt ashamed of myself ever
since I allowed her to get into such a false position. You, I fear,
think worse of me than you did."

He regarded her from under his eyelids, as if timidly. May sat very
upright. She did not look displeased; a light in her eyes might have
been understood as expressing satisfaction.

"Suppose," she said, looking away, "that October comes, and you haven't
been able to--to put an end to this situation?"

"I'm afraid--very much afraid--that we shall have to do so at any cost."

"It's very strange, altogether. An extraordinary state of things."

"You forgive me for talking to you about it?" asked Dyce, leaning
respectfully forward.

"I understand why you did. There was no harm in it."

"Do you remember our talk in the supper-room at Mrs. Toplady's?--when
we agreed that nothing was more foolish than false modesty. Shall I
venture to tell you, now, that, if this marriage came about, it would
be something like ruin to my career? You won't misunderstand. I have a
great respect, and a great liking, for Miss Bride; but think how
all-important it is, this question of marriage for a public man."

"Of course I understand that," May replied.

He enlarged upon the topic, revealing his hopes.

"But I rather thought," said May, "that Miss Bride was just the sort of
companion you needed. She is so intelligent and--"

"Very! But do you think she has the qualities which would enable her to
take a high position in society? There's no unkindness in touching upon
that. Admirable women may fall short of these particular excellencies.
A man chooses his wife according to the faith he has in his future?"

"I understand; I quite understand," said May, with a large air. "No; it
has to be confessed that Miss Bride--I wonder my aunt didn't think of
that."

They turned aside to discuss Lady Ogram, and did so in such detail,
with so much mutual satisfaction, that time slipped on insensibly, and,
ere they had thought of parting, the train began to slacken down for
the junction where Miss Tomalin would have to change carriages.

"How annoying that I shan't be able to see you again