d," she said, as Sir Francis was
putting her into a cab, "but such is the sad fact. She has never
mentioned your name."

"And was therefore dreadfully frightened when I called."

"Oh, dreadfully! But I shouldn't wonder if she has not told him all
about it now."

"Already, you think." He was standing at the door of the cab,
detaining it, and thereby showing in a very pleasant manner the
importance of the interview.

"Well;--I cannot say. Perhaps not yet. She had certainly not made the
communication when I left this morning, but was only waiting for my
departure to do so. So she said at least. But she is terribly afraid
of him and perhaps has not plucked up her courage. But I must be off
now."

"When do you leave town?"

"This afternoon. You are delaying me terribly at this moment. Don't,
Sir Francis!" This she said in a whisper because he had got hold of
her hand through the window, as though to say good-bye to her, and
did not at once let it go.

"When do you go? I'll see you off by the other train. When do you go,
and from where?"

"Will you though? That will be very kind. Waterloo;--at 4.30.
Remember the 4.30."

"Sans adieu!" Then she kissed her hand to him and was driven off.

This to her was all very pleasant. It gave an instant rose colour
to her life. She had achieved such a character down at Exeter for
maidenly reserve, and had lived so sternly, that it was hardly in her
memory that a man had squeezed her hand before. She did remember one
young clergyman who had sinned in this direction, twelve years since,
but he was now a Bishop. When she heard the other day that he had
been made a Bishop some misgivings as to her great philosophy touched
her mind. Had she done right in repudiating mankind? Would it not
have been better now to have been driving about the streets of the
episcopal city, or perhaps even those of the metropolis, in an
episcopal carriage? But, as she had then said, she had chosen her
line and must now abide by it. But the pressing of her hand by Sir
Francis had opened up new ideas to her. And they were the pleasanter
because a special arrangement had been made for their meeting
once again before they left London. As to one point she was quite
determined. Mrs. Western and her secret must be altogether discarded.
As for her promise she had not really broken it. He had been clever
enough to extract from her all that she knew without, as she thought,
any positive statement on her own part