Christian could not say another word.  Disillusion was complete.  The voice, the face, were those of as unspiritual a woman as he could easily have met with, and his life’s story was that of a fool.

He took his hat, held out his hand, with ‘Good-bye, Mrs. Palmer.’  The cold politeness left her no choice but again to look offended, and with merely a motion of the head she replied, ‘Good-bye, Mr. Moxey.’

And therewith permitted him to leave the house.

CHAPTER II

On calling at Earwaker’s chambers one February evening, Malkin became aware, from the very threshold of the outer door, that the domicile was not as he had known it.  With the familiar fragrance of Earwaker’s special ‘mixture’ blended a suggestion of new upholstery.  The little vestibule had somehow put off its dinginess, and an unwontedly brilliant light from the sitting-room revealed changes of the interior which the visitor remarked with frank astonishment.

’What the deuce!  Has it happened at last?  Are you going to be married?’ he cried, staring about him at unrecognised chairs, tables, and bookcases, at whitened ceiling and pleasantly papered walls, at pictures and ornaments which he knew not.

The journalist shook his head, and smiled contentedly.

’An idea that came to me all at once.  My editorship seemed to inspire it.’

After a year of waiting upon Providence, Earwaker had received the offer of a substantial appointment much more to his taste than those he had previously held.  He was now literary editor of a weekly review which made no kind of appeal to the untaught multitude.

‘I have decided to dwell here for the rest of my life,’ he added, looking round the walls.  ’One must have a homestead, and this shall be mine; here I have set up my penates.  It’s a portion of space, you know; and what more can be said of Longleat or Chatsworth?  A house I shall never want, because I shall never have a wife.  And on the whole I prefer this situation to any other.  I am well within reach of everything urban that I care about, and as for the country, that is too good to be put to common use; let it be kept for holiday.  There’s an atmosphere in the old Inns that pleases me.  The new flats are insufferable.  How can one live sandwiched between a music-hall singer and a female politician?  For lodgings of any kind no sane man had ever a word of approval.  Reflecting on all these things, I have established myself in perpetuity.’

‘Just what I can’t do,’ exclaimed Malkin, flinging himself into a broad, deep, leather-covered chair.  ’Yet I have leanings that way.  Only a few days ago I sat for a whole evening with the map of England open before me, wondering where would be the best place to settle down—­a few years hence, I mean, you know; when Bella is old enough.—­That reminds me.  Next Sunday is her birthday, and do you know what?  I wish you’d go down to Wrotham with me.’