int of finding
out her programme of amusements for the next few days, as a consequence
of which he called at a theatrical depot on his way to his club, and
secured an odd stall for either night. He had already more social
engagements than he could keep, but it occurred to him that it would be
possible to run into the theatre for an odd half hour, and chat with
Cornelia during an interval, on his way from one place to another. He
assured himself with much solemnity that it was his duty to look after
the girl, since she had told him that he seemed to her like a bit of
home, and he had the poorest possible opinion of her hosts.

As for Cornelia, she ran gaily upstairs to her room, disdaining the
lift, and all a-sparkle with pleasurable excitement. From her point of
view the afternoon had been an unmitigated success; she had been
conscious of no jar, being blandly indifferent to every opinion but her
own, and was now as whole-hearted in appreciation of her companion as
she had previously been violent in denunciation. He was just the
sweetest thing, and she was going to see him again to-morrow; maybe, to-
night. It felt like being at home again to have a nice man hopping
around!

She threw open the door of her room, and started with surprise to meet
Mrs Moffatt on the threshold, her arms piled high with parcels. A
long, narrow box lay on the top, and she had an impression of seeing her
own name written on the cover, before Mrs Moffatt hurried past,
speaking rapidly over her shoulder.

"Why, Cornelia, is that you? Excuse me, won't you, coming into your
room? The stupid things have gotten the parcels all mixed up. These
are the things I ordered this morning. Come into the parlour before you
change. I want you a moment."

She bustled down the passage towards her own room, deposited her
bundles, then crossed the corridor to the sitting-room, where Cornelia
was already seated. She looked up as the elder woman entered, and
thought she had never seen her look so worn and tired; so old, despite
the artificial colouring.

"I'm afraid you've not had a good time. You look all used up! Wasn't
the visit as nice as you expected?"

Mrs Moffatt threw herself down on a chair with a sigh of impatience.

"Oh, my dear, I am so rattled! Every mortal thing's gone wrong from
start to finish. Don't ask me about it, for it don't bear speaking of.
My head aches fit to split, and now Silas has taken the huff and marched
off go