nt of its emotions. And the worst of it
was that these glimpses harmed her, injured her morally. One cannot
dwell with discontent and keep a healthy imagination. She knew her
danger, and it increased the misery with which she looked forward.

Another week, and again there was a chance meeting with Mallard, this
time on the Via Appia, where Cecily and her aunt were driving. They
spent a couple of hours together. At the parting, Mallard announced
that the next day would see him on his journey to London.

CHAPTER X

ELGAR AT WORK

At Dover it was cold and foggy; the shore looked mildewed, the town
rain-soaked and mud-stained. In London, a solid leaden sky lowered
above the streets, neither threatening rain nor allowing a hope of
sunlight. What a labour breathing had become!

"My heart warms to my native land," said Spence. "This is a spring day
that recalls one's youth."

Eleanor tried to smile, but the railway journey had depressed her
beneath the possibility of joking. Miriam was pallid and miserable; she
had scarcely spoken since she set foot on the steamboat. Cab-borne
through the clangorous streets, they seemed a party of exiles.

The house in Chelsea, which the Spences held on a long lease, had been
occupied during their absence by Edward's brother-in-law and his
family. Vacated, swept, and garnished, the old furniture from the
Pantechnicon re-established somewhat at haphazard, it was not a home
that welcomed warmly; but one could heap coals on all the fires, and
draw down the blinds as soon as possible, and make a sort of Christmas
evening. If only one's lungs could have free play! But in a week or so
such little incommodities would become natural again.

Miriam had decided that in a day or two she would go down to Bartles;
not to stay there, but merely to see her relative, Mrs. Fletcher, and
Redbeck House. Before leaving London, she must visit Reuben; she had
promised Cecily to do so without delay. This same evening she posted a
card to her brother, asking him to be at home to see her early the next
morning.

She reached Belsize Park at ten o'clock, and dismissed the cab as soon
as she had alighted from it. Her ring at the door was long in being
answered, and the maid-servant who at last appeared did small credit to
the domestic arrangements of the house--she was slatternly, and seemed
to resent having her morning occupations, whatever they were, thus
disturbed. Miriam learnt with surprise that M