Then he had not entered the house, but had taken the cab on with him to his club.
On her table Alice found a note from her cousin George.

"I hear you are going down to the Pallisers at Matching Priory to-morrow, and as I shall be glad to say one word to you before you go, will you let me see you this evening,--say at nine ?--G.

V." She felt immediately that she could not help seeing him, but she greatly regretted the necessity.

She wished that she had gone directly from Cheltenham to the North,--regardless even of those changes of wardrobe which her purposed visit required.

Then she set herself to considering.