as of a recognized type of prettiness; a pure oval; from
the smooth forehead to the dimpled little chin all its lines were soft
and graceful. Her lack of colour, by heightening the effect of black
eyebrows and darkly lustrous eyes, gave her at present a more spiritual
cast than her character justified; but a thoughtful firmness was native
to her lips, and no possibility of smirk or simper lurked in the
attractive features. The slim figure was well fitted in a costume of
pale blue, cheap but becoming; a modest little hat rested on her black
hair; her gloves and her sunshade completed the dainty picture.

An omnibus would be met in Kennington Park Road. On her way thither, in
a quiet cross-street, she was overtaken by a young man who had left the
house of business a moment after her, and had followed at a short
distance timidly. A young man of unhealthy countenance, with a red
pimple on the side of his nose, but not otherwise ill-looking. He was
clad with propriety--stove-pipe hat, diagonal frockcoat, grey trousers,
and he walked with a springy gait.

'Miss Madden--'

He had ventured, with perturbation in his face, to overtake, Monica.
She stopped.

'What is it, Mr. Bullivant?'

Her tone was far from encouraging, but the young man smiled upon her
with timorous tenderness.

'What a beautiful morning! Are you going far?'

He had the Cockney accent, but not in an offensive degree; his manners
were not flagrantly of the shop.

'Yes; some distance.' Monica walked slowly on.

'Will you allow me to walk a little way with you?' he pleaded, bending
towards her.

'I shall take the omnibus at the end of this street.'

They went forward together. Monica no longer smiled, but neither did
she look angry. Her expression was one of trouble.

'Where shall _you_ spend the day, Mr. Bullivant?' she asked length,
with an effort to seem unconcerned.

'I really don't know.'

'I should think it would be very nice up the river.' And she added
diffidently, 'Miss Eade is going to Richmond.'

'Is she?' he replied vaguely.

'At least she wished to go--if she could find a companion.'

'I hope she will enjoy herself,' said Mr. Bullivant, with careful
civility.

'But of course she won't enjoy it very much if she has to go alone. As
you have no particular engagement, Mr. Bullivant, wouldn't it be kind
to--?'

The suggestion was incomplete, but intelligible.

'I couldn't ask Miss Eade to let me accompany her,' said the young man