comfort; and Mrs. Branston a most charming hostess. Even Gilbert was fain
to forget his own troubles and enjoy life a little in that agreeable
society.

The two gentlemen accompanied the ladies back to the drawing-room. There
was a grand piano in the front room, and to this Adela Branston went at
Mr. Saltram's request, and began to play some of Handel's oratorio music,
while he stood beside the piano, talking to her as she played. Mrs.
Pallinson and Gilbert were thus left alone in the back room, and the lady
did her best to improve the occasion by extorting what information she
could from Mr. Fenton about his friend.

"Adela tells me that you and Mr. Saltram are friends of very long
standing, Mr. Fenton," she began, fanning herself slowly with a shining
black fan as she sat opposite Gilbert, awful of aspect in the sombre
splendour of her beads and bugles.

"Yes; we were at Oxford together, and have been fast friends ever since."

"Indeed!--how really delightful! The young men of the present day appear
to me generally so incapable of a sincere friendship. And you and Mr.
Saltram have been friends all that time? He is a literary man, I
understand. I have not had the pleasure of reading any of his works; but
Adela tells me he is extremely clever."

"He is very clever."

"And steady, I hope. Literary men are so apt to be wild and dissipated;
and Adela has such a high opinion of your friend. I hope he is steady."