y no means the ordinary London work-girl; you can't call her
educated, but she speaks purely, and has a remarkably good
intelligence. I met her by chance, and kept up her acquaintance. There
has been nothing wrong--bah! how conventional one is, in spite of
oneself!--I mean to say there has been nothing more than a pleasant
friendship between us; absolutely nothing. We see each other from time
to time, and have a walk, perhaps a meal, together, and I lend her
books. Now, do you think there would be any way of getting your wife to
accept her society, say of an evening now and then? Don't do anything
rash; it is of course clear that _you_ must have no hand in this. I
must manage it if it is to be done. Naturally, I can't answer at once
for the girl's readiness; but I believe she would do what I asked her
to. Do you think it is worth entertaining, this idea?"

"I do, indeed; it would be salvation, I really believe."

"Don't be too sanguine, Casti; that's another of your faults. Still, I
know very well that this girl could cure your wife of her ill
propensities if any living creature could. She is strong in character,
admirably clear-headed, mild, gentle, womanly; in fact, there is
perhaps no one I respect so much, on the whole."

"Respect, only?" asked Julian, smiling.

"Ye-es; yes, I believe I am perfectly honest in saying so, though I
couldn't have been so sure about it some little time ago. Our
relations, no doubt, are peculiar; on her side there is no more warmth
than on mine"--Waymark tried so to believe--"and indeed her clear sight
has no doubt gauged me fairly well at my true value."

"What is her name?"

"Ida Starr."

"What!" cried Julian startled. "That is a strange thing! You have
noticed the scar on Harriet's forehead?"

"Well?"

"Why, it was a wound given her at school by a girl of that very name! I
remember the name as well as possible. It was a blow with a slate dealt
in passion--some quarrel or other. They were both children then, and
Ida Starr left the school in consequence."

"Is it possible that it is the same person?" asked Waymark, wondering
and reflecting.

"If so, that puts a new difficulty in our way."

"Removes one, I should have thought"

"Harriet is not of a very forgiving nature," said Julian gravely.

"I shouldn't have supposed she was; but a long time has gone by since
then, and, after all, one is generally glad to see an old
school-fellow."

At this point the conversation wa