the country. This, however, he refused to do on two grounds: in the first place, because few country villages would be so convenie

Inn Fields, which, fortunately for her, had been settled upon her at her marriage. Like most people who have seen better days-not but what she was now very comfortably off-she delighted in talking of her misfortunes, and of the perfidiousness of man; and in Hilda, who had, poor girl, nothing else to listen to, she found a most attentive audience. As was only natural where such a charming person and such a good listener were concerned, honest Mrs. Jacobs soon grew fond of her interesting lodger, abo

to believe in them, and, when speaking of Hilda to any of her other lodgers,

ent on, led her to feel that there was an invisible something growing up between them-a something that the pride she possessed in such a striking degree forbade her to attempt to pierce, but which was none the less galling to her on that account. Very shortly before the events narrated in the last chapter she had taken the occasion of a visit from Philip to complain somewhat bitterly of her position, begging him to tell her when there was any prospect of her being allowed to take her rightful place-a question her husband was quite unable to answer satisfactor

o proud to shed before her husband; and, having had an extended personal experience of such matters, rightly gue

could have seen my Samuel, who's dead and gone these ten years and buried in a private grave at Kensal Cemetery-though he didn't leav

rs. Jacobs, is not a brute at a

n the three kingdoms, for all that; but if you ask me, meaning no offence, I call a man a br

ns, Mrs. Jacobs; you must

too, all paint and feathers, the hussy, and eyes as big as a teacup. They all have their reasons, but they never tell 'em. But come and put on your things and go out a bit, t

ut the subject short,

scences by going to

road plate-glass were ranged specimens of his seductive wares, baits on which to catch students avaricious of legal knowledge as they pass on their way to chambers or Hall. Now, at this window a young man was standing at the moment that Hilda entered the archway, his eyes fixed upon a pamphlet on the laws of succession. That young man was George Caresfoot, who was considering w

with an absent air, slowly passed from the bright sunlight into the shade of the arch, it struck the astute George that there was something familiar about this particular and by no means unpleasing shadow. Waiting till it had vanished and the footsteps gone pas

, for a soverei

thence made her way round by another route back to Lincoln's Inn Fields. Needless to say, George followed at

p the steps, and, turning, said something that made the latter laugh. The butcher-boy took the opportunity of beating a rapid retreat, leaving Mrs. Jacobs crowing after him from her own doorstep. As soon as Hilda had go

Jacobs, "but I do not let

h for granted, ma

suppose, sir, you would have no

e, ma'am; but shall

keeping in front. On the first-floor he saw a pair of lady's sh

he said, laying his han

e Mrs. Roberts'; next

ome into the house. No offence, ma'am; but a man's bound to b

ion; "why, they came here straight from St. Jude's, Batte

pe her husband is worthy of her," remarked G

but I don't like people as only comes to visit their lawful wives about tw

rming rooms, ma'am, charming. I shall certainly take them if my wife approves; I will let you

orge sat in the smoking-room of his hotel and thought. H

drove to St. Jude's, Batterse

r a certified copy of

p Caresfoot, bachelor,

by license). Signed J.

t, Eliza

n a round clerk's hand, that had been posted in the City.

sband is deceiving her, and has become entangled with a y

m her hands as thou

rd of jealousy, that she had hitherto repelled with the shield of a woman's trust in the man she loves, had entered into her soul, and, could Philip have seen her under these new circumstances, he would have realized that he had

not be shocked, my reader, Bellamy was on the bow), "well, how shall we strike? Shall I go to the

act through

hy

tific, and it wil

l be a blow to her.

N

y n

ust me, and because she

opportunity of

very ruth

ut never mind me; here we are near home. Go to town by the first train to-morrow morni

s a wonderful woman-a woman it

not without proofs. What did that hateful letter say? "Wait and watch;" yes, that was what she would do. But she could not wait here; she felt as though she must go somewhere, get some change of scene, or she should break down. She had heard Mrs. Jacobs speak of a village not more than two hours from London that a convalescent lodger of hers had visited and found charming. She

ary for her, and that she was going out of London for a few days, to some quiet place, from when

hed Philip on the morning of the great dinner-party, and was either accidentally or on purpose sent without the writer's address. On the morning of the first of May-that is, two days after the dinner-party, which was given on the twenty-ninth of April-Hilda rose early, and commenced to pack her things wit

f deep surprise, as she drew her head in f

little nervously; she had grown nervous abo

ntained another addressed in the character the sight of which made her feel sic

faint; I shall lie down a little

, and she ope

her summons. She found Hilda very pale

mum," she said, for she

quite cured; but please be quick with the thing