in the dusk of the cold winter
evening.

CHAPTER XLVI

John Eames at His Office

Mr Crosbie and his wife went upon their honeymoon tour to Folkestone
in the middle of February, and returned to London about the end
of March. Nothing of special moment to the interests of our story
occurred during those six weeks, unless the proceedings of the
young married couple by the sea-side may be thought to have any
special interest. With regard to those proceedings I can only say
that Crosbie was very glad when they were brought to a close. All
holiday-making is hard work, but holiday-making with nothing to do is
the hardest work of all. At the end of March they went into their new
house, and we will hope that Lady Alexandrina did not find it very
cold.

During this time Lily's recovery from her illness was being
completed. She had no relapse, nor did anything occur to create a
new fear on her account. But, nevertheless, Dr Crofts gave it as his
opinion that it would be inexpedient to move her into a fresh house
at Lady-day. March is not a kindly month for invalids; and therefore
with some regret on the part of Mrs Dale, with much impatience on
that of Bell, and with considerable outspoken remonstrance from Lily
herself, the squire was requested to let them remain through the
month of April. How the squire received this request, and in what way
he assented to the doctor's reasoning, will be told in the course of
a chapter or two.

In the meantime John Eames had continued his career in London without
much immediate satisfaction--to himself, or to the lady who boasted
to be his heart's chosen queen. Miss Amelia Roper, indeed, was
becoming very cross, and in her ill-temper was playing a game that
was tending to create a frightful amount of hot water in Burton
Crescent. She was devoting herself to a flirtation with Mr Cradell,
not only under the immediate eyes of Johnny Eames, but also under
those of Mrs Lupex. John Eames, the blockhead, did not like it. He
was above all things anxious to get rid of Amelia and her claims; so
anxious, that on certain moody occasions he would threaten himself
with diverse tragical terminations to his career in London. He would
enlist. He would go to Australia. He would blow out his brains. He
would have "an explanation" with Amelia, tell her that she was a
vixen, and proclaim his hatred. He would rush down to Allington and
throw himself in despair at Lily's feet. Amelia, was the bugbear o