oth. She bit her under-lip in the
manner already described, seemingly her habit when she wished to avoid
any marked expression of countenance.

'I can't see what Mr. Kirkwood's got to do with it at all,' she said,
with indifference, which now, however, was rather good-humoured than
the reverse. 'I'm sure I don't want anybody to answer for _me_.' A
slight toss of the head. 'You'd have let me go in any case, father; so
I don't see you need bring Mr. Kirkwood's name in.'

Hewett turned away to the fireplace and hung his head. Sidney, gazing
darkly at the girl, saw her look towards him, and she smiled. The
strange effect of that smile upon her features! It gave gentleness to
the mouth, and, by making more manifest the intelligent light of her
eyes, emphasised the singular pathos inseparable from their regard. It
was a smile to which a man would concede anything, which would vanquish
every prepossession, which would inspire pity and tenderness and
devotion in the heart of sternest resentment.

Sidney knew its power only too well; he averted his face. Then Clara
rose again and said:

'I shall just walk round and tell Mrs. Tubbs. It isn't late, and she'd
like to know as soon as possible.'

'Oh, surely it'll do in the mornin'!' exclaimed Mrs. Hewett, who had
followed the conversation in silent anxiety.

Clara paid no attention, but at once put on her hat again. Then she
said, 'I won't be long, father,' and moved towards the door.

Hewett did not look round.

'Will you let me walk part of the way with you?' Sidney asked abruptly.

'Certainly, if you like.'

He bade the two who remained' Good-night,' and followed Clara
downstairs.

CHAPTER IV

CLARA AND JANE

Rain no longer fell, but the gusty and bitter wind still swept about
the black streets. Walking side by side without speech, Clara and her
companion left the neighbourhood of the prison, and kept a northward
direction till they reached the junction of highways where stands the
'Angel.' Here was the wonted crowd of loiterers and the press of people
waiting for tramcar or omnibus--east, west, south, or north; newsboys,
eager to get rid of their last batch, were crying as usual, 'Ech-ow!
Exteree speciul! Ech-ow! Steendard!' and a brass band was blaring out
its saddest strain of merry dance-music. The lights gleamed dismally in
rain-puddles and on the wet pavement. With the wind came whiffs of
tobacco and odours of the drinking-bar.

They crossed, and wa