When therefore they parted at the crossroads, Mr.Manley went on his way in a pleasant content at having once more made himself valued; and Mr.Stebbing went on his way feeling thankful that he had been brought into friendly contact with a really able hero.

Both of them were the happier for their chance meeting.
Mr.Manley found Helena Truslove in her drawing-room, and when the door closed behind the maid who had ushered him into it, he embraced her with affectionate warmth.

Then he held her out at arm's-length, and for the several hundredth time admired her handsome, clear-skinned, high-coloured, gipsy face, her black, rather wild eyes, and the black hair wreathed round her head in so heavy a mass.
"It has been an awful long time between the kisses," he said.
She sighed a sigh of content and laughed softly.

Then she said: "I sometimes think that you must have had a great deal of practice." "No," said Mr.Manley firmly.

"I have never had occasion to be in love before." He put her back into the chair from which he had lifted her, sat down facing her, and gazed at her with adoring eyes.