In spite of the five Miss Moxeys and Christian’s sister, Peak accepted the invitation to walk back with his companion, and presently they began to stroll towards Twybridge.

’I have an absurd tendency to dream—­to lose myself amid ideals—­ I don’t quite know how to express it,’ Christian resumed, when both had been silent for some minutes.  ’That’s why I mean to go in earnestly for science—­as a corrective.  Fortunately, I have to work for my living; otherwise, I should moon my life away—­no doubt.  My sister has ten times as much energy—­she knows much more than I do already.  What a splendid thing it is to be of an independent character!  I had rather be a self-reliant coal-heaver than a millionaire of uncertain will.  My uncle—­there’s a man who knows his own mind.  I respect those strong practical natures.  Don’t be misled by ideals.  Make the most of your circumstances.  Don’t aim at—­but I beg your pardon; I don’t know what right I have to lecture you in this way.’  And he broke off with his pleasant, kind-hearted laugh, colouring a little.

They reached Mr. Moxey’s house.  In a garden chair on the lawn sat Miss Janet, occupied with a book.  She rose to meet them, shook hands with Godwin, and said to her cousin: 

’The postman has just left a letter for you—­forwarded from London.’

’Indeed?  I’m going to show Mr. Peak my Swiss photographs.  You wouldn’t care to come and help me in the toil of turning them over?’

‘O lazy man!’

Her laugh was joyous.  Any one less prejudiced than Peak would have recognised the beauty which transformed her homely features as she met Christian’s look.

On the hall table lay the letter of which Janet had spoken.  Christian took it up, and Godwin, happening at that moment to observe him, caught the tremor of a sudden emotion on lip and eyelid.  Instantly, prompted by he knew not what perception, he turned his gaze to Janet, and in time to see that she also was aware of her cousin’s strong interest in the letter, which was at once put away in Christian’s pocket.

They passed into the sitting-room, where a large portfolio stood against the back of a chair.  The half-hour which ensued was to Godwin a time of uneasiness.  His pleasure in the photographs suffered disturbance from a subtle stress on his nerves, due to something indeterminable in the situation, of which he formed a part.  Janet’s merry humour seemed to be subdued.  Christian was obviously forcing himself to entertain the guest whilst his thoughts were elsewhere.  As soon as possible, Godwin rose to depart.  He was just saying good-bye to Janet, when Marcella entered the room.  She stood still, and Christian said, hurriedly: 

’It’s possible, Marcella, that Mr. Peak will be coming to London before long.  We may have the pleasure of seeing him there.’

‘You will be glad, I’m sure,’ answered his sister.  Then, as if forcing herself to address Peak directly, she faced to him and added, ‘It isn’t easy to find sympathetic companions.’