than Mr. Braefield; and, though his house may
be larger than Braefieldville, it is not so smartly furnished, and has
no such luxurious hothouses and conservatories. My father's tastes are
like mine, very simple. Give him his library, and he would scarcely miss
his fortune if he lost it. He has in this one immense advantage over
me."

"You would miss fortune?" said Lily, quickly.

"Not that; but my father is never tired of books. And shall I own it?
there are days when books tire me almost as much as they do you."

They were now at the garden gate. Lily, with one hand on the latch, held
out the other to Kenelm, and her smile lit up the dull sky like a burst
of sunshine, as she looked in his face and vanished.

BOOK VII.

CHAPTER I.

KENELM did not return home till dusk, and just as he was sitting down to
his solitary meal there was a ring at the bell, and Mrs. Jones ushered
in Mr. Thomas Bowles.

Though that gentleman had never written to announce the day of his
arrival, he was not the less welcome.

"Only," said Kenelm, "if you preserve the appetite I have lost, I fear
you will find meagre fare to-day. Sit down, man."

"Thank you, kindly, but I dined two hours ago in London, and I really
can eat nothing more."

Kenelm was too well-bred to press unwelcome hospitalities. In a very few
minutes his frugal repast was ended; the cloth removed, the two men were
left alone.

"Your room is here, of course, Tom; that was engaged from the day I
asked you, but you ought to have given me a line to say when to expect
you, so that I could have put our hostess on her mettle as to dinner or
supper. You smoke still, of course: light your pipe."

"Thank you, Mr. Chillingly, I seldom smoke now; but if you will excuse a
cigar," and Tom produced a very smart cigar-case.

"Do as you would at home. I shall send word to Will Somers that you and
I sup there to-morrow. You forgive me for letting out your secret.
All straightforward now and henceforth. You come to their hearth as a
friend, who will grow dearer to them both every year. Ah, Tom, this love
for woman seems to me a very wonderful thing. It may sink a man into
such deeps of evil, and lift a man into such heights of good."

"I don't know as to the good," said Tom, mournfully, and laying aside
his cigar.

"Go on smoking: I should like to keep you company; can you spare me one
of your cigars?"

Tom offered his case. Kenelm extracted a cigar, lighted it, drew