had never
seriously thought of marrying Mr. Bowling. Had she not thought of
it? The question did not enter her own mind, and she would have been
quite incapable of passing a satisfactory cross-examination on the
subject.

Mrs. Mumford, foreseeing the difficulty of spending the next day at
home, told her husband in the morning that she would have early
luncheon and go to see Mrs. Grove.

'And I should like you to fetch me from there, after business,
please.'

'I will,' answered Clarence readily. He mentally added a hope that
his wife did not mean to supervise him henceforth and for ever. If
so, their troubles were only beginning.

At breakfast, Louise continued to be discretion itself. She talked
of her departure on the morrow as though it had long been a settled
thing, and was quite unconnected with disagreeable circumstances.
Only midway in the morning did Mrs. Mumford, who had been busy with
her child, speak of the early luncheon and her journey to town. She
hoped Miss Derrick would not mind being left alone.

'Oh, don't speak of it,' answered Louise. 'I've lots to do. You'll
give my kind regards to Mrs. Grove?'

So they ate together at midday, rather silently, but with faces
composed. And Emmeline, after a last look into the nursery, hastened
away to catch her train. She had no misgivings; during her absence,
all would be well as ever.

Louise passed the time without difficulty, and at seven o'clock made
an excellent dinner. This evening no reply could be expected from
Cobb, as he was not likely to have received her letter of last night
till his return home from business. Still, there might be something
from someone; she always looked eagerly for the postman.

The weather was gloomy. Not long after eight the housemaid brought
in a lighted lamp, and set it, as usual, upon the little black
four-legged table in the drawing-room. And in the same moment the
knocker of the front door sounded a vigorous rat-tat-tat, a
visitor's summons.

CHAPTER VIII

'It may be someone calling upon me,' said Louise to the servant.
'Let me know the name before you show anyone in.'

'Of course, miss,' replied the domestic, with pert familiarity, and
took her time in arranging the shade of the lamp. When she returned
from the door it was to announce, smilingly, that Mr. Cobb wished to
see Miss Derrick.

'Please to show him in.'

Louise stood in an attitude of joyous excitement, her eyes
sparkling. But at the first