to Ebury Street. "Mrs. Compton said as
she would very likely be late. Can I get you some tea, sir? or, perhaps
you haven't had your lunch? you're looking tired and worrited," said the
landlady, who had known Pippo all his life. He consented to have tea,
partly to fill up the time, and went up languidly to the deserted room,
which looked so miserable and desert a place without her who put a soul
into it and made it home. He did not know what to do with himself,
poor boy, but sat down vacantly, and stared into empty space, seeing,
wherever he turned, the rows of faces, the ladies making signs to each
other, the red robes of the judge, the lawyers contending, and that
motionless pale figure in the witness-box. He shut his eyes and saw the
whole scene, then opened them again, and still saw it--the dingy walls
disappearing, the greyness of the afternoon giving a depth and distance
to the limited space. Should he always carry it about with him wherever
he went, the vision of that court, the shock of that revelation? And yet
he did not yet know what the revelation was; the confusion in his mind
was too great, and the dust and mist that rose up about him as all the
old building of his life crumbled and fell away.

"I'm sure as it's that nasty trial, sir, as has been turning your mamma
all out of her usual ways," said the landlady, appearing with her tray.

"Oh, the trial! Did you know about the trial?" said Philip.

"Not, Mr. Pippo, as ever she mentioned it to me. Mrs. Compton is a lady
as isn't that confidential, though always an affable lady, and not a bit
proud; but when you've known folks for years and years, and take an
interest, and put this and that together---- Dear, dear, I hope as you
don't think it's taking a liberty. It's more kindness nor curiosity, and
I hope as you won't mention it to your mamma."

Pippo shook his head and waved his hand, at once to satisfy the woman
and dismiss her if possible; but this was not so easy to do.

"And Lord St. Serf so bad, sir," she said. "Lord, to think that before
we know where we are there may be such changes, and new names, and no
knowing what to say! But it's best not to talk of it till it comes to
pass, for there's many a slip between the cup and the lip, and there's
no saying what will happen with a man that's been a-dying for years and
years."

What did the woman mean? He got rid of her at length, chiefly by dint of
making no reply: and then, to tell the truth, Pippo's