So it befell that she
did not hear a knock at the house-door. Mrs. Byass answered it, and
not knowing that Mr. Snowdon was from home, bade his usual visitor
go upstairs. The visitor did so, and announced his presence at the
door of the room.
'Oh, Mr. Kirkwood,' said Jane, 'I'm so sorry, but grandfather had to
go out with a gentleman.'
And she waited, looking at him, a gentle warmth on her face.
CHAPTER XVI
DIALOGUE AND COMMENT
'Will it be late before he comes back?' asked Sidney, his smile of
greeting shadowed with disappointment.
'Not later than half-past ten, he said.'
Sidney turned his face to the stairs. The homeward prospect was
dreary after that glimpse of the familiar mom through the doorway.
The breach of habit discomposed him, and something more positive
strengthened his reluctance to be gone. It was not his custom to
hang in hesitancy and court chance by indirectness of speech;
recognising and admitting his motives, he said simply:
'I should like to stay a little, if you will let me--if I shan't
be in your way?'
'Oh no! Please come in. I'm only sewing.'
There were two round-backed wooden chairs in the room; one stood on
each side of the fireplace, and between them, beside the table, Jane
always had her place on a small chair of the ordinary comfortless
kind.
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