ay and at this time, Mrs.
Ormonde! It's just by chance that I'm at home. I've only this moment
come back from Notting Hill, where I found a pupil too unwell to have
her lesson. And in half an hour I have to go to St. John's Wood. Just
by a chance that I'm here. How vexed I should have been if I'd heard of
you coming whilst I was away! _Isn't_ it annoying for people to call
whilst one's away? I mean, of course, people one really wants to see.'

'Certainly, things don't often happen so well. I'm in town on very
doleful business, and have come to see if you can help me.'

'Help you? How? I do hope I can.'

'Have you still your spare room?'

'Oh, yes.'

'Then I may perhaps ask you to let me have it in a few days. I must
tell you how it is. A poor girl, in whom I have a great interest, has
fallen ill in very dreary lodgings. I don't think it would be possible
to move her at present; I don't in fact yet know the nature of her
illness exactly, and, of course, if it's anything to be afraid of, I
shouldn't bring her. But that is scarcely likely; I fancy she will want
only careful nursing. Dr. Lambe is going to see her this evening, and
he's just promised me to send a nurse from some institution where he
has to call. If we can safely move her presently, may I bring her here?'

'Of course you may, Mrs. Ormonde! I'll get everything ready to night.
Will you come up and tell me of anything you'd like me to do?'

'Not now. You look tired, and must rest before you go out again. I'll
come and see you again to-morrow.'

'To-morrow? Let me see; I shall be here at twelve, but only for a few
minutes; then I shan't be home again till half-past nine. Could you
come after then, Mrs. Ormonde?'

'Yes. But what a long day that is! I hope you're not often so late?'

'Oh, I don't mind it a bit,' said the other, cheerfully. 'It's a pupil
at Seven Oaks, piano and singing. Indeed I'm very glad. The more the
better. They keep me out of mischief.'

Mrs. Ormonde smiled moderately in reply to the laugh with which Mrs.
Emerson completed her jest.

'How is your husband?'

'Still far from well. I'm so sorry he isn't in now. I think he's--no,
I'm not quite sure where he is; he had to go somewhere on business.'

'He is able to get to business again?' Mrs. Ormonde asked, without
looking at the other.

'Not to his regular business. Oh no, that wouldn't be safe yet. He
begins to look better, but he's very weak still. It must be very hard
for a