d:

'I think I shall come and see you at Eastbourne, if you'll let me.'

'I shall be glad.'

'No, you won't exactly be glad, Bell--but, of course, I know you
couldn't say you'll be sorry. Still, I shall come, for a day or two,
all by myself.'

'Come, and heartily welcome, Paula.'

'Well now, that does sound a little different, I don't often hear
people speak like that.'

She nodded a careless good-bye, and at once left the house. She went
straight home. Mr. Dalmaine was absent at luncheon-time; Paula ate
nothing and talked fretfully to the servant about the provision that
was made for her--though she never took the least trouble to see that
her domestic concerns went properly. She idled about the drawing-room
till three o'clock. A visitor came; her instructions were: 'Not at
home.' At half-past three she ordered a hansom to be summoned, instead
of her own carriage, and, having dressed with nervous rapidity, she ran
downstairs and entered the vehicle. 'Drive to the British Museum,' she
spoke up to the cabman through the trap.

But just as the horse was starting, it stopped again. Looking about her
in annoyance, she found that her husband had bidden the driver pull up,
and that he was standing by the wheel.

'Where are you going?' he asked, smilingly.

'To see a friend. Why do you stop me when I'm in a hurry? Tell him to
drive on at once.'

She was obeyed, and, as the vehicle rolled on, she leaned back,
suffering a little from palpitation. It was a long drive to Great
Russell Street, and once or twice she all but altered her direction to
the man. However, she was on the pavement by the Museum gates at last.
When the cab had driven away, she crossed the street. She went to the
house where Egremont had his rooms.

'Yes, Mr. Egremont was at home.'

'Then please to give him this card, and ask if he is at liberty.'

She was guided up to the first floor; she entered a room, and found
Egremont standing in the midst of packing-cases. He affected to be in
no way surprised at the visit, and shook hands naturally.

'You find me in a state of disorder, Mrs. Dalmaine,' he said. 'Pray
excuse it; I start on a long journey to-morrow morning.'

Paula murmured phrases. She was hot, and wished in her heart that she
had not done this crazy thing; really she could not quite say why she
had done it.

'So you're going to America again, Mr. Egremont?'

'Yes.'

'I heard so. I knew you wouldn't come to say good-bye to me, s