had
taken up her quarters in Cavendish-square, where she was a power of dread
to the servants.

Gilbert fancied that Mrs. Pallinson was by no means too favourably
disposed towards John Saltram. She had sharp black eyes, very much like
the jet beads with which her person was decorated, and with these she
kept a close watch upon Mrs. Branston and Mr. Saltram when the two were
talking together. Gilbert saw how great an effort it cost her at these
times to keep up the commonplace conversation which he had commenced with
her, and how intently she was trying to listen to the talk upon the other
side of the fire-place.

The dinner was an admirable one, the wines perfection, Mr. Branston
having been a past-master of the art of good living, and having stocked
his cellars with a view to a much longer life than had been granted to
him; the attendance was careful and complete; the dining-room, with its
rather old-fashioned furniture and heavy crimson hangings, a picture of
comfort; and Mrs. Branston a most charming hostess. Even Gilbert was fain
to forget his own troubles and enjoy life a little in that agreeable
society.

The two gentlemen accompanied the ladies back to the drawing-room. There
was a grand piano in the front room, and to this Adela Branston went at
Mr. Saltram's request, and began to play some of Handel's oratorio music,
while he stood beside the piano, talking to her as she played. Mrs.
Pallinson and Gilbert were thus left alone in the back room, and the lady
did her best to improve the occasion by extorting what information she
could from Mr. Fenton about his friend.

"Adela tells me that you and Mr. Saltram are friends of very long
standing, Mr. Fenton," she began, fanning herself slowly with a shining
black fan as she sat opposite Gilbert, awful of aspect in the sombre
splendour of her beads and bugles.

"Yes; we were at Oxford together, and have been fast friends ever since."

"Indeed!--how really delightful! The young men of the present day appear
to me generally so incapable of a sincere friendship. And you and Mr.
Saltram have been friends all that time? He is a literary man, I
understand. I have not had the pleasure of reading any of his works; but
Adela tells me he is extremely clever."

"He is very clever."

"And steady, I hope. Literary men are so apt to be wild and dissipated;
and Adela has such a high opinion of your friend. I hope he is steady."

"I scarcely know what a lady's notion of s