sorry to have met him again; but by degrees her mood brightened a
little, and she exclaimed with pleasure when the opening of the door
caused an upward movement.

"You have been away," he said, when they were in their places, he at
one side of Eve, Patty on the other.

"Yes. At Dudley."

"Did you see Mrs. Brewer?"

"Several times. She hasn't got another lodger yet, and wishes you
would go back again. A most excellent character she gave you."

This sounded satirical.

"I deserved the best she could say of me," Hilliard answered.

Eve glanced at him, smiled doubtfully, and turned to talk with Patty
Ringrose. Through the evening there was no further mention of
Dudley. Eve could with difficulty be induced to converse at all, and
when the entertainment was over she pointedly took leave of him
within the theatre. But while shaking hands with Patty, he saw
something in that young lady's face which caused him to nod and
smile.



CHAPTER IX