House-ruling was no easy matter.  Things did not go as she wished; the servants were inefficient, sometimes refractory, and she loathed the task of keeping them up to their duties.  Insomnia began to trouble her again, and presently she had recourse to the forbidden sleeping-draught.  Not regularly, but once a week or so, when the long night harried her beyond endurance.  Rolfe did not suspect it, for she never complained to him.  Winter was her bad time.  In the spring her health would improve, as usual, and then she would give up the habit.

At Christmas the Langlands had the customary visit from their relative, Mr. Thistlewood, who renewed his acquaintance with Alma.  At their first meeting she was struck by his buoyant air, his animated talk.  A week later, he called in the afternoon.  Two ladies happened to be with Alma, and they stayed a long time; but Thistlewood, who comported himself rather oddly, saying little and sometimes neglecting a remark addressed to him, stayed yet longer.  When he was alone with his hostess, he took a chair near to her, bent forward, and said, smiling ——­

‘You remember our talk about marriage on a minute income?’

‘I do, very well.’

‘I have found someone who isn’t afraid of it.’

‘You have?  The same person who formerly was?’

’No; she was not afraid of the income, but of me.  I couldn’t be surprised, though it hit me hard.  Time has spoken for me.’

Harvey was dining in town.  He came back with vexatious news about Cecil Morphew, who neglected business, looked ill, and altogether seemed in a bad way.  As he talked, he began to notice that Alma regarded him with brighter and happier eyes than for many a day.

‘Why does it amuse you?’ he asked, stopping in his narrative.

‘It doesn’t; I’m as sorry as you are.  But I have a surprise for you.’

‘A pleasant one, this time, I see.’

‘Mrs. Abbott is going to marry Mr. Thistlewood.’

She watched the effect of her words, and for an instant felt the old pang, the old bitterness.  But Harvey’s confusion of feeling soon passed, giving way to a satisfaction that could not be mistaken.

‘Who has told you?’

‘The happy man himself.’

’I am glad —­ heartily glad!  But I didn’t think it would interest you so much.’

‘Oh, women —­ marriages ——!’

She threw a pretty scorn upon herself.

’Yes, that’s good news.  They will suit each other.  But she’ll give up her school, and that’s a nuisance.’

‘There are others as good.’

‘But not here.  Another removal, I suppose. —­ When is it to be?’

‘Not till the Easter holidays.’

They were in the library.  Harvey began to fill his pipe, and nothing more was said until he had drawn a few meditative puffs.

‘Another removal,’ then escaped him, with half a groan.

‘Why should you care?’ asked Alma thoughtfully.  ’You don’t like this place.’