all, and I feel as if I've been
suffocating for want of air."

"I've something to say too, and if----"

"Then let it be to-morrow morning, and we'll start early, and you'll
bring me back in time for the theatre. Say Paddington Station, at
eleven--will that do?"

"Yes."

She saw him to the gate, and when he was going she wanted him to kiss her
hand, so she pretended to do the high handshake, but he only held it for
a moment and looked steadily into her eyes. The sunshine was pouring into
the garden, and she was bareheaded. Her hair was coiled up, and she was
wearing a light morning blouse. He thought she had never looked so
beautiful. On getting into the omnibus at the end of the street he took a
letter out of his vest pocket, and, being alone, he first carried it to
his lips, then reopened and read it:

"See her at once, dear John, and keep in touch with her, and I shall be
happy and relieved. As for your father, that old Chaise is going crazy
and is sending Lord Storm crazy too. He has actually discovered that the
dust the witch walks on who has cast the evil eye on you lies in front of
Glenfaba gate, and he has been sweeping it up o' nights and scattering it
in front of Knockaloe! What simplicity! There are only two women here.
Does the silly old gawk mean Rachel? or is it, perhaps, Aunt Anna?"

And while the omnibus joggled down the street, and the pale young
clergyman with the great weary eyes was poring over his letter, Glory was
sitting at her table and writing with flying fingers and a look of
enthusiastic ecstasy:

"I've had three bites at this cherry. But who do you think has just been
here? John!--John Storm! But then you know that he is back, and it wasn't
merely my fancy that I saw him by the stage door. It seems as if people
have been denying me to him, and he has been waiting for me and watching
over me." (Blot.) "His voice is so low, but I suppose that comes to
people who are much alone, and he is so thin and so pale, and his eyes
are so large, and they have that deep look that cuts into the heart. He
knew he was changed, and I think he was ashamed" (blot), "but of course I
didn't let whit that I was taking notice, and I'm so happy for his sake,
poor fellow! that he has escaped from his cage in that Salvation zoo that
I know I shall make them split their sides in the theatre to-night."
(Blot, blot.) "How tiresome! This ink must have got water in it somehow,
and then my handwriting is such a hop-sk