Evan watched the figure that was to him as that of an angel—­no less!  She spoke so frankly to them as she passed:  or here and there went on with a light laugh.  It seemed an act of graciousness that she should open her mouth to one!  And, indeed, by virtue of a pride which raised her to the level of what she thought it well to do, Rose was veritably on higher ground than any present.  She no longer envied her friend Jenny, who, emerging from the shades, allured by the waltz, dislinked herself from William’s arm, and whispered exclamations of sorrow at the scene created by Mr. Harrington’s mother.  Rose patted her hand, and said:  ’Thank you, Jenny dear but don’t be sorry.  I’m glad.  It prevents a number of private explanations.’

‘Still, dear!’ Jenny suggested.

’Oh! of course, I should like to lay my whip across the shoulders of the person who arranged the conspiracy,’ said Rose.  ’And afterwards I don’t mind returning thanks to him, or her, or them.’

William cried out, ’I ‘m always on your side, Rose.’

‘And I’ll be Jenny’s bridesmaid,’ rejoined Rose, stepping blithely away from them.

Evan debated whither to turn when Rose was lost to his eyes.  He had no heart for dancing.  Presently a servant approached, and said that Mr. Harry particularly desired to see him.  From Harry’s looks at table, Evan judged that the interview was not likely to be amicable.  He asked the direction he was to take, and setting out with long strides, came in sight of Raikes, who walked in gloom, and was evidently labouring under one of his mountains of melancholy.  He affected to be quite out of the world; but finding that Evan took the hint in his usual prosy manner, was reduced to call after him, and finally to run and catch him.

‘Haven’t you one single spark of curiosity?’ he began.

‘What about?’ said Evan.

’Why, about my amazing luck!  You haven’t asked a question.  A matter of course.’

Evan complimented him by asking a question:  saying that Jack’s luck certainly was wonderful.

‘Wonderful, you call it,’ said Jack, witheringly.  ’And what’s more wonderful is, that I’d give up all for quiet quarters in the Green Dragon.  I knew I was prophetic.  I knew I should regret that peaceful hostelry.  Diocletian, if you like.  I beg you to listen.  I can’t walk so fast without danger.’

‘Well, speak out, man.  What’s the matter with you?’ cried Evan, impatiently.

Jack shook his head:  ‘I see a total absence of sympathy,’ he remarked.  ‘I can’t.’

‘Then stand out of the way.’

Jack let him pass, exclaiming, with cold irony, ’I will pay homage to a loftier Nine!’

Mr. Raikes could not in his soul imagine that Evan was really so little inquisitive concerning a business of such importance as the trouble that possessed him.  He watched his friend striding off, incredulously, and then commenced running in pursuit.