Presently, Lashmar, in reply to some remark, mentioned that he was returning to London this evening whereupon his hostess asked: "When are you coming back again ?" "Before long, I hope, Lady Ogram.

The pleasure of these two days--" She interrupted him.
"Could you come down in a fortnight ?" "Easily, and gladly." "Then do so.

Don't go to Hollingford; your room will be ready for you here.

Just write and let me know when you will arrive." In a few minutes, both men took their leave, and went back to Hollingford together, driving in a fly which Breakspeare had ordered.
For the first minutes they hardly talked; they avoided each other's look, and exchanged only insignificant words.

Then the editor, with his blandest smile, said in a note of sudden cordiality: "It has been a great pleasure to me to meet you, Mr.Lashmar.May I, without indiscretion, take it for granted that we shall soon be fighting the good fight together ?" "Why, I think it likely," answered Dyce, in a corresponding tone.