tea as usual, from sheer poltroonery. He
said as casually as he could--

"By the way, Charlie Orgreave called this afternoon."

"Did he?" said Maggie.

"He's off back to London to-morrow. He would have me slip up there
to-night to see him."

"And shall you?"

"I think so," said Edwin, with an appearance of indecision. "I may as
well."

It was the first time that there had ever been question of him visiting
a private house, except his aunt's, at night. To him the moment marked
an epoch, the inception of freedom; but the phlegmatic Maggie showed no
sign of excitement--("Clara would have gone into a fit!" he reflected)--
and his father only asked a casual question about Charlie.

VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER SEVEN.

LANE END HOUSE.

Here was another of those impressive square halls, on the other side of
the suddenly opened door of Lane End House. But Edwin was now getting
accustomed to square halls. Nevertheless he quaked as he stood on the
threshold. An absurd young man! He wondered whether he would ever
experience the sensation of feeling authentically grown-up. Behind him
in the summer twilight lay the large oval lawn, and the gates which once
had doubtless marked the end of Manor Lane--now Oak Street. And
actually he had an impulse to rush back upon his steps, and bring on
himself eternal shame. The servant, however, primly held him with her
eyes alone, and he submitted to her sway.

"Mr Charles in?" he inquired glumly, affecting nonchalance.

The servant bowed her head with a certain condescending deference, as
who should say: "Do not let us pretend that they are not expecting you."

A door to the right opened. Janet was revealed, and, behind her,
Charlie. Both were laughing. There was a sound of a piano. As soon as
Charlie caught sight of Edwin he exclaimed to Janet--

"Where's my bob?"

"Charlie!" she protested, checking her laughter.

"Why! What have I said?" Charlie inquired, with mock innocence,
perceiving that he had been indiscreet, and trying to remedy his rash
mistake. "Surely I can say `bob'!"

Edwin understood nothing of this brief passage. Janet, ignoring Charlie
and dismissing the servant with an imperceptible sign, advanced to the
visitor. She was dressed in white, and Edwin considered her to be
extraordinarily graceful, dignified, sweet, and welcoming. There was a
peculiar charm in the way in which her skirts half-reluctantly followed
her along the carpet, causing b