fice at the entrance to the Law Courts,
and despatching a message to Eleanor, who was still in Abertaff gaol.

He followed this up by thrusting a few things into a bag, cashing a
cheque, and hurrying to Paddington, where he caught an express for the
county town.

Within four hours he was in Eleanor's presence. She had waited for
him in the prison, and now put on some outdoor things. He led her to
the door, where the governor took a courteous leave of them, and they
passed through the gates.

When she found herself for the first time in the open air, Eleanor's
limbs shook beneath her. She looked wildly round, as if fearing to
behold some disagreeable object, and then begged Prescott to take her
to a seat.

They had emerged into a wide, dirty street, formed by the prison wall
on one side and a row of shabby little houses and shops on the other.
A few boys were playing marbles on the path, and Eleanor never saw the
game afterwards without remembering that evening.

The sun was about to set as they took their way by the quietest route
to a little public garden in the neighbourhood, where was a grass plot
and some seats. There they stopped, and sat down for a short time to
decide on Eleanor's future steps.

Eleanor's first words struck heavily in the ears of her companion.

'I almost wish myself back again. Where am I to go now?' And she
shivered slightly.

'Oh, Eleanor, don't say that! To-night you must go to some hotel in
the town, but to-morrow we will go up to town together, and I will
find you lodgings for a time.'

She turned and looked at him sorrowfully, not reproachfully, and shook
her head.

'No, no. You forget what I said to you before. I have accepted your
friendship, and I need not tell you how grateful I am for it, and for
your efforts in obtaining my release. But I am still where I was, as
far as the world is concerned. They will go on believing me guilty,
and while they do I cannot let you associate with me.'

'Oh, why not? Surely you know by this time what you are to me? Need I
tell you, Eleanor----'

She put up her hand.

'Hush, Charles!'

The word sent a thrill through him. He looked round. Some children
were engrossed in a game a hundred yards and more away. The sunlight
was fading from gold to crimson across the roofs and chimneys beyond.
The whole scene was still and Sabbath-like. A great peace seemed to
speak to him, and bid him take courage and hope for better things. He
turned aga