ey had slipped a couple of banknotes into George's hand and
told them to have a good time. They dined at the _Carlton_, went to a
musical comedy, which amused Lucy because her brother laughed so
heartily--she was fascinated by his keen power of enjoyment--and
finished by going to the _Savoy_ for supper. For the moment all her
anxieties seemed to fall from her, and the years of trouble were
forgotten. She was as merry and as irresponsible as George. He was
enchanted. He had never seen Lucy so tender and so gay; there was a new
brilliancy in her eyes; and, without quite knowing what it was that
differed, he found a soft mellowness in her laughter which filled him
with an uncomprehended delight. Neither did Lucy know why the world on a
sudden seemed fuller than it had ever done before, nor why the future
smiled so kindly: it never occurred to her that she was in love.

When Lucy, exhausted but content, found herself at length in her room,
she thanked God for the happiness of the evening. It was the last time
she could do that for many weary years.

* * *

A few days later Allerton appeared again at the police court, and the
magistrate, committing him for trial, declined to renew his bail. The
prisoner was removed in custody.

VI

During the fortnight that followed, Alec spent much time with Lucy.
Together, in order to cheat the hours that hung so heavily on her hands,
they took long walks in Hyde Park, and, when Alec's business permitted,
they went to the National Gallery. Then he took her to the Natural
History Museum, and his conversation, in face of the furred and
feathered things from Africa, made the whole country vivid to her. Lucy
was very grateful to him because he drew her mind away from the topic
that constantly absorbed it. Though he never expressed his sympathy in
so many words, she felt it in every inflection of his voice. His
patience was admirable.

At last came the day fixed for the trial.

Fred Allerton insisted that neither Lucy nor George should come to the
Old Bailey, and they were to await the verdict at Lady Kelsey's. Dick
and Robert Boulger were subpoenaed as witnesses. In order that she might
be put out of her suspense quickly, Lucy asked Alec MacKenzie to go into
court and bring her the result as soon as it was known.

The morning passed with leaden feet.

After luncheon Mrs. Crowley came to sit with Lady Kelsey, and together
they watched the minute hand go round the clock. Now t