She almost knew that she had been wrong even to desire to see him. She
had forgiven him, and what more was there to be said? She had seen the
girl, and had in some fashion approved of her. Her curiosity had been
satisfied, and her love of revenge had been sacrificed. She had no plan
arranged as to what she would now say to him, nor did she at this
moment attempt to make a plan. She could tell him that she was about
to return to San Francisco with Fisker, but she did not know that she
had anything else to say. Then came the knock at the door. Her heart
leaped within her, and she made a last great effort to be tranquil.
She heard the steps on the stairs, and then the door was opened and Mr
Montague was announced by Mrs Pipkin herself. Mrs Pipkin, however,
quite conquered by a feeling of gratitude to her lodger, did not once
look in through the door, nor did she pause a moment to listen at the
keyhole. 'I thought you would come and see me once again before I
went,' said Mrs Hurtle, not rising from her sofa, but putting out her
hand to greet him. 'Sit there opposite, so that we can look at one
another. I hope it has not been a trouble to you.'

'Of course I came when you left word for me to do so.'

'I certainly should not have expected it from any wish of your own.'

'I should not have dared to come, had you not bade me. You know that.'

'I know nothing of the kind;--but as you are here we will not quarrel
as to your motives. Has Miss Carbury pardoned you as yet? Has she
forgiven your sins?'

'We are friends,--if you mean that.'

'Of course you are friends. She only wanted to have somebody to tell
her that somebody had maligned you. It mattered not much who it was.
She was ready to believe any one who would say a good word for you.
Perhaps I wasn't just the person to do it, but I believe even I was
sufficient to serve the turn.'

'Did you say a good word for me?'

'Well; no;' replied Mrs Hurtle. 'I will not boast that I did. I do not
want to tell you fibs at our last meeting. I said nothing good of you.
What could I say of good? But I told her what was quite as serviceable
to you as though I had sung your virtues by the hour without ceasing.
I explained to her how very badly you had behaved to me. I let her
know that from the moment you had seen her, you had thrown me to the
winds.'

'It was not so, my friend.'

'What did that matter? One does not scruple a lie for a friend, you
know! I could not go into all