That step-father of his was a well-to-do manufacturer of shoddy in Leeds, one Hibbert, a good-natured man on the whole, but of limited horizon.  He had married a widow above his own social standing, and for a long time was content to supply her idolized son with the means of pursuing artistic studies in London and abroad.  But Mr. Hibbert had a strong opinion that this money should by now have begun to make some show of productiveness.  Domestic grounds of dissatisfaction ripened his resolve to be firm with young Mr. Marsh.  Mrs. Hibbert was extravagant; doubtless her son was playing the fool in the same direction.  After all, one could pay too much for the privilege of being snubbed by one’s superior wife and step-son.  If Clifford were willing to “buckle to” at sober business (it was now too late for him to learn a profession), well and good; he should have an opening at which many a young fellow would jump.  Otherwise, let the fastidious gentleman pay his own tailor’s bills.

Clifford’s difficulties were complicated by his relations with Madeline Denyer.  It was a year since he had met Madeline at Naples, had promptly fallen in love with her face and her advanced opinions, and had won her affection in return.  Clifford was then firm in the belief that, if he actually married, Mr. Hibbert would not have the heart to stop his allowance; Mrs. Denyer had reasons for thinking otherwise, and her daughter saw the case in the same light.  It must be added that he presumed the Denyers to be better off than they really were; in fact, he was to a great extent misled.  His dignity, if the worst came about, would not have shrunk from moderate assistance at the hands of his parents-in-law.  Madeline knew well enough that nothing of this kind was possible, and in the end made her lover’s mind clear on the point.  Since then the course of these young people’s affections had been anything but smooth.  However, the fact remained that there was mutual affection—­which, to be sure, made the matter worse.

Distinctly so since the estrangement which had followed Marsh’s arrival at the boarding-house.  He did not take Madeline’s advice to seek another abode, and for two or three days Madeline knew not whether to be glad or offended at his remaining.  For two or three days only; then she began to have a pronounced opinion on the subject.  It was monstrous that he should stay under this roof and sit at this table, after what had happened.  He had no delicacy; he was behaving as no gentleman could.  It was high time that her mother spoke to him.

Mrs. Denyer solemnly invited the young man to a private interview.

“Mr. Marsh,” she began, with pained dignity, whilst Clifford stood before her twiddling his watch-chain, “I really think the time has come for me to ask an explanation of what is going on.  My daughter distresses me by saying that all is at an end between you.  If that is really the case, why do you continue to live here, when you must know how disagreeable it is to Madeline?”