suitably effervescent,
like ecclesiastical humour. It may very probably be that there was no
indulgence; indeed, one is convinced that the word, like so many words,
says too much. The springs of Arnold's chair were bursting through
the bottom, and there were stains on its faded chintz-arms, but it
was comfortable, and he leaned back in it, looking up at the paper
umbrellas. You know the room; I took you into it with Duff Lindsay, who
did not come there from rigidities and rituals, and who had a qualified
pleasure in it. But there were lines in the folds of the flowered
window-curtains dragging half a yard upon the floor, which seemed to
disband Arnold's spirit, and a twinkle in the blue bead of a bamboo
screen where the light came through that released it altogether. The
shabby violent-coloured place encompassed him like an easy garment,
and the lady with her feet tucked up on a sofa and a cushion under her
tumbled head, was an unembarrassing invitation to the kind of happy
things he had not said for years. They sat in the coolness of the room
for half an hour, and then, after a little pause, Hilda said suddenly--

"I am glad you saw me in The Offence of Galilee on Saturday night. We
shall not play it again."

"It has been withdrawn?"

"Yes. The rights, you know, really belong to Mr. Bradley; and he can't
endure his part."

"Is there no one else to--"

"He objects to anyone else. We generally play together." This was
inadvertent, but Stephen had no reason to imagine that she contracted
her eyebrows in any special irritation. "It is an atrocious piece," she
added.

"Is it?" he said absently, and then, "Yes, it is an atrocious piece. But
I am glad, too, that I saw you."

He looked away from her, reddening deeply, and stood up. He bade her a
measured and precise farewell. It seemed as if he hurried. She only half
rose to give him her unwounded hand, and when he was gone she sank back
again thoughtfully.

CHAPTER VIII

"I have outstayed all the rest," Lindsay said, with his hat and stick
in his hand, in Alicia Livingstone's drawing-room, "because I want
particularly to talk to you. They have left me precious little time," he
added, glancing at his watch.

She had wondered when he came, early in the formal Sunday noon hour for
men's calls, since he had more casual privileges; and wondered more when
he sat on with composure, as one who is master of the situation, while
Major-Generals and Deputy-Secretarie