"entirely due to his father's criminal carelessness respecting his
affairs. She had what would barely keep her alive"--170 pounds per
annum--"and that was all." As for Douglas, he must work.

Although they were not congenial companions Douglas faithfully
accompanied his mother in her varied wanderings, supported her in
action with enraged landladies, helped her out of a libel case, covered
her reverses and retreats, and lived by command under the same roof.

For the last eighteen months the pair had been established at a
well-managed private hotel in Lincoln Square, Bayswater, W. "Malahide"
was a flourishing concern; two substantial houses had been thrown into
one; the rooms were spacious, clean, and adequately furnished; the food
was plain but abundant. The double drawing-room contained a fine
piano, one or two sofas, and card tables; also a sufficiency of sound
and reliable chairs; but not an ornament, save two clocks--not one
paper fan, nor bunch of coloured grasses, nor a single antimacassar,
not even a shell! Such amazing restraint gave the apartments an empty
but dignified appearance.

Among its various advantages, "Malahide" was within a few minutes' walk
of "the Grove," and "Underground," a situation which appealed to men in
business and to women whose chief occupation was shopping.

Mrs. Shafto appreciated her present quarters for several excellent
reasons. Here she had no giggling young rivals and was, even at
forty-five, the best-looking and best-dressed of all the lady boarders.
Moreover, she had found a friend and admirer in her neighbour at
meals--a certain Mr. Manasseh Levison, a widower, with a stout figure,
a somewhat fleshy nose, and a pair of fine piercing black eyes. He was