In some ways they are far more humane on the Continent than they are in England, Mrs.Bunting." "Indeed, sir," she said civilly; and then, after a nervous glance, she asked the question of which the answer would mean so much to her, "Then you mean to take my rooms, sir ?" "This room, certainly," he said, looking round.

"This room is exactly what I have been looking for, and longing for, the last few days;" and then hastily he added, "I mean this kind of place is what I have always wanted to possess, Mrs.Bunting.You would be surprised if you knew how difficult it is to get anything of the sort.

But now my weary search has ended, and that is a relief -- a very, very great relief to me!" He stood up and looked round him with a dreamy, abstracted air.

And then, "Where's my bag ?" he asked suddenly, and there came a note of sharp, angry fear in his voice.

He glared at the quiet woman standing before him, and for a moment Mrs.Bunting felt a tremor of fright shoot through her.