oor darling!'

Through the evening he was in a state of transport, due partly to the
belief that Monica really welcomed his decision, partly to the sense of
having behaved at length like a resolute man. His eyes were severely
bloodshot, and before bedtime headache racked him intolerably.

Everything was carried out as he had planned it. They journeyed down
into Somerset, put up at a Clevedon hotel, and began house-hunting. On
Wednesday the suitable abode was discovered--a house of modest
pretensions, but roomy and well situated. It could be made ready for
occupation in a fortnight. Bent on continuing his exhibition of
vigorous promptitude, Widdowson signed a lease that same evening.

'To-morrow we will go straight home and make our preparations for
removal. When all is ready, you shall come down here and live at the
hotel until the house is furnished. Go to your sister Virginia and
simply bid her do as you wish. Imitate me!' He laughed fatuously.
'Don't listen to any objection. When you have once got her away she
will thank you.'

By Thursday afternoon they were back at Herne Hill. Widdowson still
kept up the show of extravagant spirits, but he was worn out. He spoke
so hoarsely that one would have thought he had contracted a severe sore
throat; it resulted merely from nervous strain. After a pretence of
dinner, he seated himself as if to read; glancing at him a few minutes
later, Monica found that he was fast asleep.

She could not bear to gaze at him, yet her eyes turned thither again
and again. His face was repulsive to her; the deep furrows, the red
eyelids, the mottled skin moved her to loathing. And yet she pitied
him. His frantic exultation was the cruelest irony. What would he do?
What would become of him? She turned away, and presently left the room,
for the sound of his uneasy breathing made her suffer too much.

When he woke up, he came in search of her, and laughed over his
involuntary nap.

'Well, now, you will go and see your sister to-morrow morning.'

'In the afternoon, I think.'

'Why? Don't let us have any procrastination. The morning, the morning!'

'Please do let me have my way in such a trifle as that,' Monica
exclaimed nervously. 'I have all sorts of things to see to here before
I can go out.'

He caressed her.

'You shan't say that I am unreasonable. In the afternoon, then. And
don't listen to any objections.'

'No, no.'

* * * * * * * * * *

It was Friday. All the morning Widd