ompanied by her
sister. It happened more than once that they saw Widdowson, who walked
past the house at least every other day; he didn't approach them, and
had he done so Monica would have kept an obstinate silence.

For more than a fortnight he had not written to her. At length there
came a letter, merely a repetition of his former appeals.

'I hear,' he wrote, 'that your elder sister is coming to London. Why
should she live here in lodgings, when a comfortable house is at the
disposal of you all? Let me again entreat you to go to Clevedon. The
furniture shall be moved any moment you wish. I solemnly promise not to
molest you in any way, not even by writing. It shall be understood that
business makes it necessary for me to live in London. For your sister's
sake do accept this offer. If I could see you in private, I should be
able to give you a very good reason why your sister Virginia would
benefit by the change; perhaps you yourself know of it. Do answer me,
Monica. Never again will I refer by word or look to what has passed. I
am anxious only to put an end to the wretched life that you are
leading. Do go to the house at Clevedon, I implore you.'

It was not the first time he had hinted darkly at a benefit that might
accrue to Virginia if she left London. Monica had no inkling of what he
meant. She showed her sister this communication, and asked if she could
understand the passage which concerned her.

'I haven't the least idea,' Virginia replied, her hand trembling as she
held the paper. 'I can only suppose that he thinks that I am not
looking well.'

The letter was burnt, as all the others had been, no answer vouchsafed.
Virginia's mind seemed to waver with regard to the proposed settlement
at Clevedon. Occasionally she had urged Monica, with extreme
persistence, to accept what was offered; at other times, as now, for
instance, she said nothing. Yet Alice had written beseeching her to use
all means for Monica's persuasion. Miss Madden infinitely preferred the
thought of dwelling at Clevedon--however humble the circumstances had
been--to that of coming back into London lodgings whilst she sought for
a new engagement. The situation she was about to quit had proved more
laborious than any in her experience. At first merely a governess, she
had gradually become children's nurse as well, and for the past three
months had been expected to add the tendance of a chronic invalid to
her other duties. Not a day's holiday