r arrival at
Trelevan. The rooms that Fletcher Hill had managed to secure for them led
out of each other, and the smaller of them, Dot's looked out over the
busiest part of the town. As Adela pointed out, this was an advantage of
little value at night, and it could be shared in the daytime.

Dot said nothing. She was used to her sister-in-law's cheerful egotism,
and Adela had never hesitated to invade her privacy if she felt so
inclined. Her chief consolation was that Adela was a very sound sleeper,
so that there was small chance of having her solitude disturbed at night.

She herself was not sleeping so well as usual just then. A great
restlessness was upon her, and often she would pace to and fro like a
caged thing for half the night. She was not actively unhappy, but a great
weight seemed to oppress her--a sense of foreboding that was sometimes
more than she could bear.

Fletcher Hill's calm countenance as he welcomed them upon their arrival
reassured her somewhat. He was so perfectly self-controlled and steady in
his demeanour. The very grasp of his hand conveyed confidence. She felt
as if he did her good.

They dined together in the common dining-room, but at a separate table
in a corner. There were many coming and going, and Adela was frankly
interested in them all. As she said, it was so seldom that she had the
chance of studying the human species in such variety. When the meal was
over she good-naturedly settled herself in a secluded corner and
commanded them to leave her.

"There's something in the shape of a glass-house at the back," she said.
"I don't know if it can be called a conservatory. But anyhow I should
think you might find a seat and solitude there, and that, I conclude, is
what you most want. Anyhow, don't bother about me! I can amuse myself
here for any length of time."

They took her at her word, though neither of them seemed in any hurry to
depart. Dot lingered because the prospect of a _tete-a-tete_ in a strange
place, where she could not easily make her escape if she desired to do
so, embarrassed her. And Hill waited, as his custom was, with a grim
patience that somehow only served to increase her reluctance to be alone
with him.

"Run along! It's getting late," Adela said at last. "Carry her off, Mr.
Hill! You'll never get her to make the first move."

There was some significance in words and smile. Dot stiffened and turned
sharply away.

Hill followed her, and outside the room she