'I shouldn't wonder if I'm here this day next week,' said Clem,
after a pause. 'You can bring Pennyloaf if you like.'
It was dinner-time, and they left the building together. At the end
of Museum Street they exchanged a careless nod and went their
several ways.
CHAPTER XXV
A DOUBLE CONSECRATION
Bessie Byass and her husband had, as you may suppose, devoted many
an hour to intimate gossip on the affairs of their top-floor
lodgers. Having no relations with Clerkenwell Close, they did not
even hear the rumours which spread from Mrs. Peckover's house at the
time of Jane's departure thence; their curiosity, which only grew
keener as time went on, found no appeasement save in conjecture.
That Sidney Kirkwood was in the secret from the first they had no
doubt; Bessie made a sly attempt now and then to get a hint from
him, but without the least result. The appearance on the scene of
Jane's father revived their speculation, and just after the old
man's illness in the month of August occurred something which gave
them still fresh matter for argument. The rooms on the first floor
having become vacant, Michael proposed certain new arrangements.
Pages:
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441