So the reconciliation was complete; all doubts were dissipated, and they lingered long together, talking of themselves and a thousand kindred topics, in which foreign service was not included; and more complete it was, when, after escorting her home (Lady Drumshoddy being absent at Exeter Hall), in the solitude of the drawing-room, they had a sweeter lingering still, Finella's head resting on his shoulder, the touch of her cheek thrilling through him, and like some tender and tuneful melody her soft cooing voice seemed to vibrate in his head and heart together.
So they were united again after all!
At last they had to separate, and looking forward to a visit on the morrow, Hammersley, seeming to tread on air, in a state of radiance, both in face and mind, hurried across the square to the Club, where he came suddenly upon Villiers, whom he had not seen for some days, and who seemed rather curiously to resent his evident state of high spirits.
'Well, Villiers,' said he, 'you do look glum, by Jove! What is the matter now—the Wolseley ring, and all that—the service going to the dogs!'
'You know deuced well that it has gone—went with the regimental system. No; it is a cursed affair of my own. I have been robbed.'
'Robbed—how—and of what?'
'My pocket-book, containing some valuable papers and more than £500 in Bank of England notes.'
'Good heavens! I hope you have the numbers?'
'No—never noted such a thing in my life. Who but a careful screw would do so?'
'How came it about?'