den came in and startled
her so much that she dropped the book upon the table.

He was in his gown, just come back from chapel. He came some way into
the room and stood at a little distance from her. She did not look at
him, though she turned towards him in acknowledgment of his presence.

"Wasn't the sunset wonderful?" she said.

"It was a wonderful sunset!" he said.

Robinson was still busy in the room, and the Warden moved to the
fireplace and stood looking as if he was undecided whether to stay or to
go.

"I'm sorry I have to dine out this evening," said the Warden. "I have no
choice in the matter, unfortunately."

"Of course," said May. "Please don't think of me. I have Aunt Lena to
look after."

"You are very good to her," he said, and lingered for a moment.

Robinson was now going towards the door with his soft, light, though
rather shambling movements.

The Warden moved towards the door too, and then stopped and said--

"There isn't anything I can do for you, any book I can lend you for this
evening?"

"No, thanks very much," said May. "I have all I want," and she took up
the book she had dropped with an air of wanting it very much, and went
towards the chair she had been sitting in before Robinson disturbed her.

The Warden swung himself round. She could hear the sound of his robe
against the lintel of the door as he went out and left her alone. He
might have stayed a few minutes if he had wished! He didn't wish!

When she went to her Aunt Lena's bedroom, half an hour later, she found
that he had been there, sitting with her and talking, and had gone five
minutes ago. The Warden seemed to move like some one in a dream. He came
and went and never stayed.

During dinner Lady Dashwood said, not a propos of anything--

"Your poor Uncle John is beginning to get restive, and I suppose I shall
have to go back to him in a few days. Having done all the mischief that
I could, I suppose it is time I should leave Oxford. Louise will be glad
and Jim will be sorry, I am afraid. I haven't broken to him yet that my
time is coming to an end. I really dread telling him. It was different
when he was a college tutor--he had only rooms then. Now he has a house.
It's very dismal for him to be alone."

Here Lady Dashwood stopped abruptly and went on eating. About nine
o'clock she professed to be ready "to be put to bed," and May, who had
been knitting by her side, got up and prepared to leave her for the
night.