tell me? I mean only,
will you let me know the fact that you have news?'

'Yes, I will.'

At length their eyes met. Then Grail held out his hand, and Egremont
clasped it firmly.

'This is not the end between us,' he said, huskily. 'You must wish that
you had never seen me, but I can never lose the hope that we may some
day be friends again.'

The haggard man went his way in silence. Egremont, throwing himself
upon a seat in utter weariness, felt more alone than ever yet in his
life....

Who or what was left to him now? A little while ago, when he had felt
that his connection with the world of wealth and refinement was
practically at an end, it seemed more than a substitute to look forward
to intimacy with that one household in Lambeth, and to associations
that would arise thence. He believed that it would henceforth content
him to have friends in the sphere to which he belonged by birth, and,
for the needs of his mind, to find companionship among his books. He
saw before him a career of practical usefulness such as only a man in
his peculiar position could pursue with unwavering zeal. What now was
to become of his future? Where were his friends?

Grail had said that in Lambeth people were gossiping evil of him. Such
gossip, he understood too well, would have its lasting effect. No
contradiction could avail against it. Even if Thyrza returned, it would
be impossible for her to resume her life in the old places; the truth
could never be so spread as to counteract the harm already done.
Lambeth had lost its free library. How long would it wait before
another man was found able and willing to do so much on its behalf?

Looking in the other direction, he could now explain that scene at
Charing Cross. Dalmaine, through his connection with Lambeth, had
already heard the story. He took this way of showing that he was
informed of everything, and of manifesting his august disapproval. It
needed only a word of admonition to Paula, and she at once recognised
how improper it would be to hold further relations with so unprincipled
a man. So they turned away, and, in the vulgar phrase, 'cut' him.

The Dalmaines knowing, of course their relatives and their friends
knew. The Tyrrells would by this time have discussed the whole shocking
affair, doubtless with the decision that they could no longer be 'at
home' to Mr. Egremont.

And if the Tyrrells--then Annabel Newthorpe.

Would Annabel give faith to such a charge against hi