onceivable project of marriage.
Continuous and acute pain had withdrawn her from worldly affairs, making
her more than ever like a god.

Hilda was startled. But she was relieved. Now for the first time she had
the authentic sensation of being engaged. And it appeared to her that
she had been engaged for a very long period, and that the engagement was
a quite ordinary affair. She was relieved; yet she was also grievously
saddened. She lowered the gas, and in the gloom gazed for a few seconds
at the vague, huddled, sheeted, faintly moaning figure on the bed; the
untidy grey hair against the pillow struck her as intolerably pathetic.

"Good night," she said softly.

And the feeble, plaintive voice responded: "Good night."

She went out, leaving the door slightly ajar.

V

In the parlour adjoining George Cannon was seated at the table. When
Hilda saw him and their eyes met, she was comforted; a wave of
tenderness seemed to agitate her. She realized that this man was hers,
and the realization was marvellously reassuring. The sound of the piano
descended delicately from the drawing-room as from a great distance.
From the kitchen came the muffled clatter of earthenware and
occasionally a harsh, loud voice; it was the hour of relaxed discipline
in the kitchen, where amid the final washing-up and much free discussion
and banter, Florrie was recommencing her career on a grander basis.
Hilda closed the door very quietly. When she had closed it and was shut
in with George Cannon her emotion grew intenser.

"I think she'll get off now," she whispered, standing near the door.

"Have you told her?"

Hilda nodded.

"What does she say?"

Hilda raised her eyebrows: "Oh!... Well, she says we'd better keep it
quiet, and make the engagement as short as possible." She blushed.

"Look here," said George. "Let's go out, eh?"

"But--what will people say?"

"What the devil does it matter what they say? I want you to come out
with me."

The whispered oath, and his defiant smile, enchanted her.

"We can go out by the area steps," he continued. "There's two of 'em
sitting in the hall, but the front door's shut. Do go and get your hat."

She left the room with an obedient smile. Pushing open Sarah's door very
gently, she groped on the hooks behind it for her hat. "It won't matter
about gloves--in the dark," she thought. "Besides, I mustn't disturb
her." Before drawing-to the door she looked again at the bed. There was
neither