yll Hotel, whence it would return for her
in an hour.

Eugenie had made her first speech--her first embarrassed explanation.
She and Miss Anna sat on either side of the parlour table, their eyes
on each other. Eugenie felt herself ill at ease under the critical
gaze of this handsome, grey-haired woman, with her broad shoulders and
her strong brows. She had left London in hurry and agitation, and
was, after all, but very slenderly informed as to the situation
in Langdale. Had she inadvertently said something to set this
formidable-looking person against her and her mission?

On her side Miss Anna surveyed the delicate refinement of her visitor;
the black dress so plain, yet so faultless; the mass of brown hair,
which even after a night's railway journey was still perfectly
dressed, no doubt by the maid without whom these fine ladies never
venture themselves abroad; the rings which sparkled on the thin
fingers; the single string of pearls, which alone relieved the
severity of the black bodice. She noticed the light, distinguished
figure, the beauty of the small head; and her hostility waxed within
her. John's smart friend belonged to the pampered ones of the earth,
and Miss Anna did not intend to be taken in by her, not for a moment.

'Mr. Fenwick has been terribly overworked,' Eugenie repeated,
colouring against her will, 'and yesterday he was quite broken down
by your letter. It seemed too much for him. You will understand, I'm
sure. When a person is so weak, they shrink--don't they?--even from
what they most desire. And so he asked me--to--to come and tell Mrs.
Fenwick something about his health, and his circumstances these
last two years--just to prepare the way. There is so much--isn't
there?--Mrs. Fenwick cannot yet know; and I'm afraid--it will pain her
to hear.'

The speaker's voice faltered and ceased. She felt through every nerve
that she was in a false position, and wondered how she was to mend it.

'Do I understand you that John Fenwick is coming to see his wife
to-night?' said Miss Mason at last, in a voice of battle.

'He arrives by the afternoon train,' said Eugenie, looking at her
questioner with a slight frown of perplexity.

'What is the matter with him?' said Miss Anna, dryly.

Eugenie hesitated; then she bent forward, the colour rushing again
into her cheeks.

'I think'--her voice was low and hurried, and she looked round her to
see that the door was shut and they were really alone--'I think