“Do you know that Alymer Hermon has just got the chance of his life?” he told her, before they rose. “I heard today he is to appear with Hall in this big libel case. Sir James Jameson told me at the Club. He said Hall had taken a great fancy to him, and if he does really well over this case he’s going to take him up. He is very fortunate. Not one man in a thousand would get such a chance at his age. I hope he will do well; I like him; and if he isn’t a success over this he may never get such an opportunity again.”
“When does the case come on?”
“Almost at once, I think, but it probably will not last more than two or three days.”
When Hal said good-night to him, she remarked shyly:
“I heard from Ethel last night. She loves the Austrian Tyrol. She said she hoped you were better for your trip to Norway.”
His forehead contracted a little, and he did not look up from the book he had just opened.
“Is she better herself? Is she any happier?”
Hal looked thoughtfully into the fire.
“I think she is very lonely. I don’t think she will be much happier until... until... there is some one to take Basil’s place.”
“No one can do that.” He spoke a little shortly. “Basil was a hero. I do not know how she is ever to love a lesser man.”