the image of luxurious indolence; he had pleasant features, dark
hair inclined to curliness, a well-built frame set off by good
tailoring. His income from the commercial house in which he held a
post of responsibility would have permitted him to occupy better
quarters than these; but here he had lived for ten years, and he
preferred a few inconveniences to the trouble of moving. Trouble of
any kind was Robert's bugbear. His progress up the commercial ladder
seemed due rather to the luck which favours amiable and good-looking
young fellows than to any special ability or effort of his own. The
very sound of his voice had a drowsiness which soothed--if it did
not irritate--the listener.

"Tell them to lay out the truckle-bed," said Hilliard, when he had
pulled the bell. "I shall stay here to-night."

"Good!"

Their talk was merely interjectional, until the visitor had begun to
appease his hunger and had drawn the cork of a second bottle of
bitter ale.

"This is a great day," Hilliard then exclaimed. "I left Dudley this
afternoon feeling ready to cut my throat. Now I'm a free man, with
the world before me."

"How's that?"

"Emily's going to take a second husband--that's one thing."

"Heaven be praised! Better than one could have looked for."