has promised to superintend it all.'

Then suddenly something struck the mobile mind, and he stood an instant
looking at his companion. It was the first time he had mentioned
Catherine's name in connection with the North R---- work. Flaxman could
not mistake the emotion, the unspoken thanks in those eyes. He turned
away, nervously knocking off the ashes of his cigar. But the two men
understood each other.

CHAPTER XLIX

Two days later they were in London again. Robert was a great deal
better, and beginning to kick against invalid restraints. All men have
their pet irrationalities. Elsmere's irrationality was an aversion to
doctors, from the point of view of his own ailments. He had an unbounded
admiration for them as a class, and would have nothing to say to them as
individuals that he could possibly help. Flaxman was sarcastic;
Catherine looked imploring in vain. He vowed that he was treating
himself with a skill any professional might envy, and went his way. And
for a time the stimulus of London and of his work seemed to act
favourably upon him. After his first welcome at the Club he came home
with bright eye and vigorous step, declaring that he was another man.

Flaxman established himself in St. James's Place. Town was deserted; the
partridges at Greenlaws clamoured to be shot; the head-keeper wrote
letters which would have melted the heart of a stone. Flaxman replied
recklessly that any decent fellow in the neighbourhood was welcome to
shoot his birds--a reply which almost brought upon him the resignation
of the outraged keeper by return of post. Lady Charlotte wrote and
remonstrated with him for neglecting a landowner's duties, inquiring at
the same time what he meant to do with regard to 'that young lady.' To
which Flaxman replied calmly that he had just come back from the Lakes,
where he had done, not indeed all that he meant to do, but still
something. Miss Leyburn and he were not engaged, but he was on probation
for six months, and found London the best place for getting through it.

'So far,' he said, 'I am getting on well, and developing an amount
of energy especially in the matter of correspondence, which alone
ought to commend the arrangement to the relations of an idle man.
But we must be left "to dream our dream unto ourselves alone." One
word from anybody belonging to me to anybody belonging to her on
the subject, and---- But threats are puerile. _For the prese