XVII
DORA'S STUDIO
We have every reason to suppose that if Lorimer had not called on Dora in her new quarters, it was because he had not dared to do so. He saw Philip often, and so had news of her nearly every day. He had feared to be importunate, all the more so that Philip had told him how Dora had closed her doors to everyone, and had shut herself up in complete seclusion.
It was in the early part of the month of April 1898 that Lorimer received from Dora a letter in which she said to him, "If you will come, dear friend, I shall be so pleased to see you. I am in very poor lodgings, but I am sure that will not make you pass me by on the other side. Do come soon, I am longing to see a friendly face."
Lorimer lost no time in responding to her call. Hobbs opened the door to him and beamed to see his cheerful face.
"Oh, sir! I am glad to see you, sir," said she.
"Well, my dear Hobbs, and how are things going by this time?" asked Lorimer, in his cheeriest tones.
"You will do mistress such a lot of good, sir! She has not been at all herself lately. She is very weak to-day and has passed a very bad night—she is quite changed since the day she saw our old house was occupied again, and yet she could not have thought that it would remain unlet for ever."
"She does not know who it is that is living there, of course?"