A gardener was at work in front of the house; Harvey talked with him about certain flowers he wished to grow this year.  In the small stable-yard a lad was burnishing harness; for him also the master had a friendly word, before passing on to look at the little mare amid her clean straw.  In his rough suit of tweed and shapeless garden hat, with brown face and cheery eye, Rolfe moved hither and thither as though native to such a life.  His figure had filled out; he was more robust, and looked, indeed, younger than on the day when he bade farewell to Mrs Handover and her abominations.

At nine o’clock he entered the dining-room, where breakfast was ready, though as yet no other person had come to table.  The sun would not touch this window for several hours yet, but a crackling fire made the air pleasant, and brightened all within.  Seats were placed for three.  An aroma of coffee invited to the meal, which was characterised by no suggestion of asceticism.  Nor did the equipment of the room differ greatly from what is usual in middle-class houses.  The clock on the mantelpiece was flanked with bronzes; engravings and autotypes hung about the walls; door and window had their appropriate curtaining; the oak sideboard shone with requisite silver.  Everything unpretentious; but no essential of comfort, as commonly understood, seemed to be lacking.

In a minute or two appeared Mrs. Frothingham; alert, lightsome, much improved in health since the first year of her widowhood.  She had been visiting here for a fortnight, and tomorrow would return to her home in the south.  Movement, variety, intimate gossip, supported her under the affliction which still seemed to be working for her moral good.  Her bounty (or restitution) had long ago ceased to be anonymous, but she did not unduly pride herself upon the sacrifice of wealth; she was glad to have it known among her acquaintances, because, in certain quarters, the fact released her from constraint, and restored her to friendly intercourse.  For her needs and her pleasures a very modest income proved quite sufficient.  To all appearances, she found genuine and unfailing satisfaction in the exercise of benevolent sympathies.

‘Alma will not come down,’ was her remark, as she entered.  ’A little headache —­ nothing.  We are to send her some tea and dry toast.’

‘I thought she didn’t seem quite herself last night,’ said Harvey, as he cut into a ham.

Mrs. Frothingham made no remark, but smiled discreetly, taking a place at the head of the table.

‘We shall have to go somewhere,’ Harvey continued.  ’It has been a long winter.  She begins to feel dull, I’m afraid.’

‘A little, perhaps.  But she’s quite well —­ it’s nothing ——­’

’Why won’t she go on with her water-colours?  She was beginning to do really good things —­ then all at once gives it up.’

’Oh, she must!  I think those last sketches simply wonderful.  Anyone would suppose she had worked at it all her life, instead of just a few months.  How very clever she is!’