a singular impression on Humphrey. Wratten's marriage was a prosaic affair, in a registry office, horribly formal, without the idealizin

t, as Humphrey saw the dark-eyed bride he was wedding, and marked the pride in her eyes as she looked up to him, and the fluttering of her lips

over them; perhaps Humphrey heard Wratten's words echoing in his ears, "They sit at home pa

d cracked jokes, and made them sign their names in the right places, and Wratten had half a dozen little commis

ome face, they came out of the registry office, and the girl friend emptied a bag of confetti over them, as they stepped into the cab that w

ood luck," H

e dry, nervous cough. "Good-bye, old man," he said affectionately. "Thanks awfu

k splendid." He noticed that the girl friend wore an engagement-

l quite at home in the reporters' room, and he even had a desk which, by custom, had become his own. He was more sur

in himself. He called him into his room,

long years that had passed, when romantic days were his. The boy was shaping well. That was fine

ing his moustache. "Mr Rivers giv

al, and he meant to mould him into a finished article after his own heart. He would make no mistakes, it should be done slowly, step by s

He smiled and still caressed that fierce moustache. "I suppose you've heard I'm an ogre-d

like drops of oil to creaking machinery-they instilled fresh energy and desire into men, and made their hearts ardent for conquest. It was w

ce sent silent messages to him, vibrating through the air. Long before she appeared he had looked expectantly before him, knowing that she would approach him. Something in his mind linked

l a-quiver with excitement, and then he turned and overtook her. His heart was beating quickl

say

colour, and at once he noted her wonderfully slende

ss of this vast London, they had met and spoken at last. They stood in a little island of their own making, while people coming and going broke in a hurried surge all abou

, "it's awfully rude of me

ot at all," she said

Beaver happens to be in t

s," she said. "Why

ey laughed nervously. "I shall see him

sn't matter.

matter," Hum

again, always elusive, just flitting in and o

ited, and Humphr

red. "Won't you come

upwards at

1

rning to lead the way. "The

she laughed a

cups of tea. "Humphrey Quain." He waited longingly, hopi

ated in Humphrey's imagination. She gave him her nam

is F

unsatisfactory j

ll think me rud

must gu

ld. I should

oaxed. "It b

nd she corrected him. "You're near

he echoed,

eful name,"

vely name,

really t

the

he smile

t how could Humphrey tell her, when they had ha

de of me stopping you like tha

u think it's dreadful of me to

ng-that he should be sitting facing her over a cup of tea; to have learnt her[12

all,"

like a shower of c

said, with her eyes smi

wenty-one," he said loudly. "You're

, taking a tiny watch from her

umphrey, "are we go

want to see m

" Humphrey said.

ic boy ... oh, how miserable you look

so long as you'll let me see you

't manage

n Sunday

go out on

said Humphrey

ter. "I know I'm engag

ve lunch

ell," s

formally, and parted in Fleet Street.

three day