He mentioned the address.  Letty, who felt herself caught up above the world of common experiences and usages, gave her promise as a matter of course.

‘I shall not try to thank you,’ Hubert said.  ’But you will not doubt that I am grateful?’

Letty said no more, and it was with profound relief that she heard the door close behind her visitor.  But even yet the danger was not past; Alfred might at this moment be approaching, so as to meet Hubert near the house.  And indeed this all but happened, for Mr. Waltham presented himself very soon.  Letty had had time to impose secrecy on her sisters, such an extraordinary proceeding on her part that they were awed, and made faithful promise of discretion.

Letty drew her lover into the fireless room; she had blown out the candles and turned the lamp low again, fearful lest her face should display signs calling for comment.

‘I did so want you to come!’ she exclaimed.  ‘Tell me about Adela.’

‘I don’t know that there’s anything to tell,’ was Alfred’s stolid reply.  ‘It’s settled, that’s all.  I suppose it’s all right.’

‘But you speak as if you thought it mightn’t be, Alfred?’

’Didn’t know that I did.  Well, I haven’t seen her since I got home.  She’s upstairs.’

‘Can’t I see her to-night?  I do so want to.’

‘I dare say she’d be glad.’

’But what is it, my dear boy?  I’m sure you speak as if you weren’t quite satisfied.’

‘The mater says it’s all right I suppose she knows.’

‘But you’ve always been so anxious for it.’

’Anxious?  I haven’t been anxious at all.  But I dare say it’s the wisest thing she could do.  I like Mutimer well enough.’

‘Alfred, I don’t think he’s the proper husband for Adela.’

‘Why not?  There’s not much chance that she’ll get a better.’

Alfred was manifestly less cheerful than usual.  When Letty continued to tax him with it he grew rather irritable.

‘Go and talk to her yourself,’ he said at length.  ’You’ll find it’s all right.  I don’t pretend to understand her; there’s so much religion mixed up with her doings, and I can’t stand that.’

Letty shook her head and sighed.

‘What a vile smell of candle smoke there is here!’ Alfred cried.  ’And the room must be five or six degrees below zero.  Let’s go to the fire.’

‘I think I shall run over to Adela at once,’ said Letty, as she followed him into the hall.

’All right.  Don’t be vexed if she refuses to let you in.  I’ll stay here with the youngsters a bit.’