think of it; and so,
from your affectionate old mother,

'S. MUTIMER.'

Richard read the letter several times, and sat at home through the
morning in despondency. It had got to the pass that he could not
marry Emma; for all his suffering he no longer gave a glance in that
direction. Not even if Adela Waltham refused him; to have a 'lady' for
his wife was now an essential in his plans for the future, and he knew
that the desired possession was purchasable for coin of the realm. No
way of retreat any longer; movement must be forward, at whatever cost.

He let a day intervene, then replied to his mother's letter. He
represented himself as worked to death and without a moment for his
private concerns; it was out of the question for him to marry for a few
weeks yet. He would write to Emma, and would send her all the money she
could possibly need to supply the sick girl with comforts. She must
keep up her courage, and be content to wait a short while longer. He was
quite sure she did not complain; it was only his mother's fancy that she
was in low spirits, except, of course, on Jane's account.

Another fortnight went by. Skies were lowering towards winter, and the
sides of the valley showed bare patches amid the rich-hued death of
leaves; ere long a night of storm would leave 'ruined choirs.' Richard
was in truth working hard. He had just opened a course of lectures at a
newly established Socialist branch in Belwick. The extent of his daily
correspondence threatened to demand the services of a secretary in
addition to the help already given by Rodman. Moreover, an event of
importance was within view; the New Wanley Public Hall was completed,
and its formal opening must be made an occasion of ceremony. In that
ceremony Richard would be the central figure. He proposed to gather
about him a representative company; not only would the Socialist
leaders attend as a matter of course, invitations should also be sent
to prominent men in the conventional lines of politics. A speech from
a certain Radical statesman, who could probably be induced to attend,
would command the attention of the press. For the sake of preliminary
trumpetings in even so humble a journal as the 'Belwick Chronicle,'
Mutimer put himself in communication with Mr. Keene. That gentleman was
now a recognised visitor at the house in Highbury; there was frequent
mention of him in a close correspondence kept up between Richard and his
sister at this time. The lett