“Well, Charlie,” she ejaculated, after the few first civilities had been exchanged; “this puts me in mind of old times. I began to think that you had given me the cut; but I suppose you have been pretty well engaged, or I should have seen something of you.”
“Middling. You see, before I leave London I thought it just as well to see a few of the sights. Perhaps I shan’t have another chance for a goodish while, you know.”
“Ah! just so. Then you are only here for a time—you intend returning to Sheffield?”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“I see, a bird of passage—eh?”
Peace smiled. Then, after a pause, he said, quickly—
“But, I say, Laura, old girl, who was that boy I saw at the door as I came in?”
“A fair-haired lad?”
“Yes, and good looking. I hardly knew him.”
“Have you seen him before, then?” inquired Miss Stanbridge, in a tone of surprise.