n was again a
temptation. He was quickly satisfied with green gardens and
sea-breezes; the pavements of Piccadilly and Regent Street were more
attractive. And for Roland, the last wish or the last plan held the
quality of fascination. When he turned his back upon Burrell Court,
Elizabeth faded from his thoughts and affections; it was Denasia who
then drew him through every side of his vivid imagination and reckless
desires.

He had written to her as soon as Elizabeth promised him the money he
needed; for he believed when Denasia was free from care she would
speedily recover her health and strength. He pleased himself all the
way home with the anticipation of his wife's smiles and welcome, and
he was a little frightened not to see her face at the window the
moment his cab arrived. He expected her to be watching; he was sure,
if she were able, she would not have disappointed him. He had a
latch-key in his pocket, and he opened the door and went rapidly to
the room they occupied. It was empty; it was cleaned and renovated and
evidently waiting for a new tenant.

Full of trouble and amazement, he was going to seek his landlady, when
she appeared. She was as severely polite as people who have got the
last penny they hope to get out of one can be. Mrs. Tresham had gone
to the sea-side. She had left five days ago--gone to Broadstairs. The
address was in the letter which she gave him. Greatly to Roland's
relief she said nothing about money, and he certainly had no wish to
introduce the subject.

But he was amazed beyond measure. Where had Denasia got money? How had
she got it? Why had she said nothing to him? He had had a letter two
days before, and he took it out of his pocket and re-read it. There
was no allusion to the change, but he saw that the postmark showed it
to have been mailed on the way to the Chatham and Dover Railway.
However, he was not anxious enough to pursue his journey that night.
He went to a hotel, had a good dinner, slept off his fatigue, and
started for Broadstairs at a comfortable hour in the morning.

Nothing like jealousy troubled him. He had no more fear of Denasia's
honour and loyalty than he had of the sun rising; and with a hundred
pounds in his pocket curiosity was a feeble feeling. "Some way all is
right, and when a thing is right there is no need to worry about it."
This was his ultimate reflection, and he slept comfortably upon it.

Broadstairs was a new place, and to Roland novelty of an