The next Sunday proved fine; Julian planned to take Harriet for a walk in the afternoon, then, after accompanying her home, to proceed to Walcot Square.

As was usual on these occasions, he was to meet his cousin at the Holborn end of Gray's Inn Road, and, as also was the rule, Harriet came some twenty minutes late.

Julian was scrupulously punctual, and waiting irritated him not a little, but he never allowed himself to show his annoyance.

There was always the same kind smile on his handsome face, and the pressure of his hand was warm.
Harriet Smales was about a year younger than her cousin.

Her dress showed moderately good taste, with the usual fault of a desire to imitate an elegance which she could not in reality afford.