nt's reflection, "at all events as far as I'm concerned. But it
might be a little awkward for her. How long is she staying?"

Will told all he knew of Miss Elvan's projects. He went on to say that
she seemed to him more thoughtful, more serious, than in the old time;
to be sure, she had but recently lost her father, and the subduing
influence of that event might have done her good.

"You had a lot of talk?" said Franks.

"Oh, we gossiped in the garden. Poor old Pomfret has his gout, and
couldn't come out with us. What do you think, by the bye, of her chance
of living by art? She says she'll have to."

"By that, or something else, no doubt," Franks replied disinterestedly.
"I know her father had nothing to leave, nothing to make an income."

"Are her water-colours worth anything?"

"Not much, I'm afraid, I can't quite see her living by anything of that
sort. She's the amateur, pure and simple. Now, Bertha Cross--there's
the kind of girl who does work and gets paid for it. In her modest
line, Bertha is a real artist. I do wish you knew her, Warburton."

"So you have said a good many times," remarked Will. "But I don't see
how it would help you. I know Miss Elvan, and--"

He paused, as if musing on a thought.

"And what?" asked Franks impatiently.

"Nothing--except that I like her better than I used to."

As he spoke, he stood up.

"Well, I can't stay. It's raining like the devil. I wanted to know
whether you'd done anything decisive, that's all."

"I'll let you know when I do," answered Franks, suppressing a yawn.
"Good-night, old man."

For a fortnight, Warburton led his wonted life, shut off as usual from
the outer world. About this time, Allchin began to observe with anxiety
the change in his master's aspect and general behaviour.

"I'm afraid you're not feeling quite yourself, sir," he said at closing
time one night. "I've noticed lately you don't seem quite well."

"Have you? Well, perhaps you are right. But it doesn't matter."

"If you'll excuse _me_, sir," returned the assistant, "I'm afraid it
does matter. I hope, sir, you won't think I speak disrespectful, but
I've been noticing that you didn't seem to care about waiting on
customers lately."

"You've noticed that?"

"I have, sir, if the truth must be told. And I kept saying to myself as
it wasn't like you. What I'm afraid of, sir, if you don't mind me
saying it, is that the customers themselves are beginning to notice it.
Mrs. Gilpin said