HAPTER XXII

UNDER-CURRENTS

"Well, how do you like her?" Julian asked, when their visitors had left
them.

"Oh, I dare say she's all right," was the reply. "She's got a good deal
to say for herself."

Julian turned away, and walked about the room.

"What does she work at?" said Harriet, after glancing at him furtively
once or twice.

"I have no idea."

"It's my belief she doesn't work at all."

"Why should Waymark have said so, then?" asked Julian, standing still
and looking at her. He spoke very quietly, but his face betrayed some
annoyance.

Harriet merely laughed, her most ill-natured and maliciously suggestive
laugh, and rose from her seat. Julian came up and faced her.

"Harriet," he said, with perfect gentleness, though his lips trembled,
"why do you always prefer to think the worst of people? I always look
for the good rather than the evil in people I meet."

"We're different in a good many things, you see," said Harriet, with a
sneer. Her countenance had darkened. Julian had learnt the significance
of her looks and tones only too well. Under the circumstances it would
have been better to keep silence, but something compelled him to speak.

"I am sure of this," he said. "If you will only meet her in her own
spirit, you will find her a valuable friend--just such a friend as you
need. But of course if you begin with all manner of prejudices and
suspicions, it will be very hard for her to make you believe in her
sincerity. Certainly her kindness, her sympathy, her whole manner, was
perfect to-night."

"You seemed to notice her a good deal."

"Naturally I did, being so anxious that you should find a friend and
companion."

"And who is she, I should like to know?" said Harriet, with perfection
of subdued acrimony. "How can I tell that she's a proper person to be a
friend to me? I know what her mother was, at all events."

"Her mother? What do you know of her mother?"

Julian had never known the whole story of that scar on his wife's
forehead.

"Never mind," said Harriet, nodding significantly.

"I have no idea what you mean," Julian returned. "At all events I can
trust Waymark, and I know very well he would not have brought her here,
if she hadn't been a proper person for you to know. But come," he added
quickly, making an effort to dismiss the disagreeable tone between
them, "there's surely no need for us to talk like this, Harriet. I am
sure you will like her, when you know her better. P