‘My dear,’ remarked Mrs. Frothingham, smiling sadly, ’people would never believe that it didn’t mean loss of money.’

’They might be made to believe it.  It would depend entirely on the persons, of course.’

Alma seemed to weary of the speculation, and to throw it aside.  Harvey noticed a shadow on her face again, which this time did not pass quickly.

He was so comfortable in his chair, the ladies seemed so entirely at leisure, such a noiseless calm brooded about them, unbroken by any new arrival, that two hours went by insensibly, and with lingering reluctance the visitor found it time to take his leave.  On reviewing the afternoon, Harvey concluded that it was probably as void of meaning as of event.  Alma, on friendly terms once more with her step-mother, felt for the moment amiably disposed towards everyone, himself included; this idle good humour and insignificant talk was meant, no doubt, for an apology, all he had to expect.  It implied, of course, thorough indifference towards him as an individual.  As a member of their shrunken circle, he was worth retaining.  Having convinced herself of his innocence of undue pretensions, Alma would, as the children say, be friends again, and everything should go smoothly.

He lived through a week of the wretchedest indecision, and at the end of it, when Wednesday afternoon came round, was again climbing the many stairs to the Frothinghams’ flat; even more nervous than last time, much more ashamed of himself, and utterly doubtful as to his reception.  The maid admitted him without remark, and showed him into an empty room.  When he had waited for five minutes, staring at objects he did not see, Alma entered.

‘Mamma went out to lunch,’ she said, languidly shaking hands with him, ‘and hasn’t come back yet.’

No greeting could have conveyed less encouragement.  She seated herself with a lifeless movement, looked at him, and smiled as if discharging a duty.

‘I thought’ —­ he blundered into speech —­ ’that Wednesday was probably your regular afternoon.’

’There is nothing regular yet.  We haven’t arranged our life.  We are glad to see our friends whenever they come. —­ Pray sit down.’

He did so, resolving to stay for a few minutes only.  In the silence that followed, their eyes met, and, as though it were too much trouble to avert her look, Alma continued to regard him.  She smiled again, and with more meaning.

‘So you have quite forgiven me?’ fell from her lips, just when Harvey was about to speak.

’As I told you at the station, I feel that there is more fault on my side.  You wrote under such a strange misconception, and I ought to have patiently explained myself.’

’Oh no!  You were quite right in treating me sharply.  I don’t quite remember what I said, but I know it must have been outrageous.  After that, I did what I ought to have done before, just had a talk with Mamma.’