roublesome to an unfortunate pair who wished
to talk in a leisurely way together, yet had no shelter save that of a
place of public entertainment, or an archway under the line. And
to-night it was particularly cold; there had even fallen a little snow.
Totty and Ackroyd met, as usual, at the end of Paradise Street. It
being Sunday, they could not go to the music-hall, and it was really
impossible to stand about in the open air.

'Look here, Totty,' said Ackroyd, 'you _must_ come into the house. You
needn't see any one, unless you like. We can have the sitting-room to
ourselves. The others always sit downstairs.'

Totty hesitated, but at length assented. If the truth were known, her
two hundred and fifty pounds had probably something to do with her
yielding on this point. At present she could face Mrs. Poole on equal
terms.

So they entered the house, and Luke, having left his companion in the
parlour, went down to apprise his sister. Jane came up, and gave the
girl a civil greeting. It was not cordial, nor did Totty affect warmth
of feeling. Mrs. Poole speedily left the two to themselves.

Totty sat in her chair rather stiffly. She was not accustomed to take
her ease in rooms even as well appointed as this. Luke tried to be
merry, to show that he was delighted, to be affectionate; he did not
succeed very well. Presently they were sitting at a little distance
from each other, each waiting for the other to speak.

'When is it to be?' Ackroyd said at length, bending forward.

'I don't know. Is it _really_ to be?'

'Why not? Of course it is.'

Totty had felt colder to him than ever before, since she had entered
this room. The strangeness of the surroundings affected her
disagreeably. She wished they had walked about in the snowy streets.

'Of course you know we shall always be quarrelling,' she said, with a
laugh.

'No, we shan't. It'll be different then. At all event, it'll be your
fault if we do.'

Silence came again.

'What day?' Luke asked.

'When you like, If you really mean it.'

'Now what's the use of talking in that way? Why _shouldn't_ I mean it?'

'If I ask you a question will you answer me honest?'

She was leaning forward, with a touch of colour on her cheeks, and a
sudden curious light in her eyes; she seemed ashamed at something, and
both eager and reluctant.

'What is it? Yes, I'll answer you the truth.'

'The very truth? No, I shan't ask you. What day do you want it to be?'

'Nonsens