r friend; she made no further mention of the matter
which occasionally disturbed her peace of mind.

For all her friend's kindly offer, she longed to tread the familiar
ways of the country town which was so intimately associated with the
chief event of her life.

During the five unexpired days of Miss Toombs's holiday, the two women
were rarely apart. Of a morning they would take the baby to the grounds
of Chelsea Hospital, which, save for the presence of the few who were
familiar with its quietude, they had to themselves. Once or twice, they
took a 'bus to the further side of the river, when they would sit in a
remote corner of Battersea Park. They also went to Kew Gardens and
Richmond Park. Mavis had not, for many long weeks, known such happiness
as that furnished by Miss Toombs's society. Her broad views of life
diminished Mavis's concern at the fact of her being a mother without
being a wife.

The time came when Mavis set out for Paddington (she left the baby
behind in charge of Jill), in order to see her friend go by the
afternoon train to Melkbridge. Mavis was silent. She wished that she
were journeying over the hundred miles which lay between where she
stood and her lover. Miss Toombs was strangely cheerful: to such an
extent, that Mavis wondered if her friend guessed the secret of her
lover's identity, and, divining her heart's longings, was endeavouring
to distract her thoughts from their probable preoccupation. Mavis
thanked her friend again and again for all she had done for her. Miss
Toombs had that morning received a letter from her London boot
acquaintance in reply to one she had written concerning Mavis. This
letter had told Miss Toombs that her friend should fill the first
vacancy that might occur. Upon the strength of this promise, Miss
Toombs had prevailed on Mavis to accept five pounds from her; but Mavis
had only taken it upon the understanding that the money was a loan.

While they were talking outside Miss Toombs's third class compartment,
Mavis saw Montague Devitt pass on his way to a first, followed by two
porters, who were staggering beneath the weight of a variety of
parcels. Mavis hoped that he would not see her; but the fates willed
otherwise. One of the porters dropped a package, which fell with a
resounding thwack at Mavis's feet. Devitt turned, to see Mavis.

"Miss Keeves!" he said, raising his hat.

Mavis bowed.

"May I speak to you a moment?" he asked, after glancing at Miss Toom