there might be a revolution at any moment.'

'I see. But--excuse my asking you, what has that to do with the British
Museum?'

'I can hardly tell you off-hand like this, Mrs Ottley; but if you let me
come again one day--'

'Oh, certainly, do--do come again.'

'Then I'll say good-bye for today,' said Raggett, with an admiring look.
'I--I hope I haven't trespassed on your valuable--'

'Oh, no; not in the least.'

'I've enjoyed our talk so much,' said Raggett, lingering.

'So have I, Mr Raggett. It has been most interesting.'

'I--I felt,' said Raggett, now standing up and looking very shy, 'I
somehow felt at once that there was a kind of--may I say, sympathy?'

'Quite so.'

'Yes? Well, give my kind regards to Ottley, and thank you so much.'

They shook hands, she rang the bell, and he rushed out as if he was in a
violent hurry, leaving Edith rather bewildered.