r sworn adorer, and had thought it expedient to
retreat from her domestic duties, and fortify herself among her
brushes and ribbons. Had it been possible that she should know how
very weak and cowardly was the enemy against whom she was called upon
to put herself in action, she might probably have fought her battle
somewhat differently, and have achieved a speedy victory, at the cost
of an energetic shot or two. But she did not know. She thought it
probable that she might obtain power over him and manage him; but it
did not occur to her that his legs were so weak beneath him that she
might almost blow him over with a breath. None but the worst and most
heartless of women know the extent of their own power over men;--as
none but the worst and most heartless of men know the extent of their
power over women. Amelia Roper was not a good specimen of the female
sex, but there were worse women than her.

"She ain't there, Mr Eames; but you'll see her in the drawen-room,"
said the girl. "And it's she'll be glad to see you back again,
Mr Eames." But he scrupulously passed the door of the upstairs
sitting-room, not even looking within it, and contrived to get
himself into his own chamber without having encountered anybody.
"Here's yer 'ot water, Mr Eames," said the girl, coming up to him
after an interval of half-an-hour, "and dinner'll be on the table
in ten minutes. Mr Cradell is come in, and so is missus's son."

It was still open to him to go out and dine at some eating-house in
the Strand. He could start out, leaving word that he was engaged,
and so postpone the evil hour. He had almost made up his mind to do
so, and certainly would have done it, had not the sitting-room door
opened as he was on the landing-place. The door opened, and he found
himself confronting the assembled company. First came Cradell, and
leaning on his arm, I regret to say, was Mrs Lupex--_Egyptia conjux!_
Then there came Miss Spruce with young Roper; Amelia and her mother
brought up the rear together. There was no longer question of flight
now; and poor Eames, before he knew what he was doing, was carried
down into the dining-room with the rest of the company. They were all
glad to see him, and welcomed him back warmly, but he was so much
beside himself that he could not ascertain whether Amelia's voice
was joined with the others. He was already seated at table, and had
before him a plate of soup, before he recognised the fact that he
was sitting bet