ept his eyes
on the ground, and clumped to a dismal rhythm with the end of his
walking-stick. In the three or four months since his marriage, he
seemed to have grown older; he no longer held himself so upright.

At the very moment agreed upon he was waiting close by the house. Five
minutes passed; twice he had looked at his watch, and he grew
excessively impatient, stamping as if it were necessary to keep himself
warm. Another five minutes, and he uttered a nervous ejaculation. He
had all but made up his mind to go and knock at the door when Monica
came forth.

'You haven't been waiting here long, I hope?' she said cheerfully.

'Ten minutes. But it doesn't matter.'

'I'm very sorry. We were talking on--'

'Yes, but one must always be punctual. I wish I could impress that upon
you. Life without punctuality is quite impossible.'

'I'm very sorry, Edmund. I will be more careful. Please don't lecture
me, dear. How shall we go home?'

'We had better take a cab to Victoria. No knowing how long we may have
to wait for a train when we get there.'

'Now don't be so grumpy. Where have you been all the time?'

'Oh, walking about. What else was I to do?'

On the drive they held no conversation. At Victoria they were delayed
about half an hour before a train started for Herne Hill; Monica sat in
a waiting-room, and her husband trudged about the platform, still
clumping rhythmically with his stick.

Their Sunday custom was to dine at one o'clock, and at six to have tea.
Widdowson hated the slightest interference with domestic routine, and
he had reluctantly indulged Monica's desire to go to Chelsea this
afternoon. Hunger was now added to his causes of discontent.

'Let us have something to eat at once,' he said on entering the house.
'This disorder really won't do: we must manage better somehow.'

Without replying, Monica rang the dining-room bell, and gave orders.

Little change had been made in the interior of the house since its
master's marriage. The dressing-room adjoining the principal
bed-chamber was adapted to Monica's use, and a few ornaments were added
to the drawing-room. Unlike his deceased brother, Widdowson had the
elements of artistic taste; in furnishing his abode he took counsel
with approved decorators, and at moderate cost had made himself a home
which presented no original features, but gave no offence to a
cultivated eye. The first sight of the rooms pleased Monica greatly.
She declared that all