gloom.

Still muttering, he shut the door and turned the key. In another
moment his light was gleaming out on the grey perturbed face and
black narrow shoulders of his visitor.

'You gave me quite a fright,' said the old man almost angrily;
'have you hurt your foot, or something?'

'It was very dark,' said Lawford, 'down the stairs.'

'What!' said Mr Bethany still more angrily, blinking out of his
unspectacled eyes; 'has she cut off the gas, then?'

'You got the note?' said Lawford, unmoved.

'Yes, yes; I got the note.... Gone?'

'Oh, yes; all gone. It was my choice. I preferred it so.'

Mr Bethany sat down on one of the hard old wooden chairs that
stood on either side of the lofty hall, and breathing rather
thickly, rested his hands on his knees. 'What's happened?' he
inquired, looking up into the candle. 'I forgot my glasses, old
fool that I am, and can't, my dear fellow, see you very plainly.
But your voice--'

'I think,' said Lawford, 'I think it's beginning to come back.'

'What, the whole thing! Oh no, my dear, dear man; be frank with