Fenwick's Career

by Mrs. Humphry Ward

The young woman hung back a moment in hesitation. Then she advanced into the hall.

'I've got a parcel for him'—she showed it under her arm. 'If you'll allow me, I'll go up, and leave it in his room. It's important.'

'And what name, Miss—if I may ask?'

The visitor hesitated again—then she said, quietly:

'I am Mrs. Fenwick—Mr. Fenwick's wife.'

'His wife!' cried the other, startled. 'Oh no; there is some mistake—he hasn't got no wife!'

Phoebe drew herself up fiercely.

'You mustn't say such things to me, please! I am Mr. Fenwick's wife—and you must please show me his rooms.'

The emphasis and the passion with which these words were said left Mrs. Gibbs gaping. She was a worthy woman, for whom the world—so far as it could be studied from a Bernard Street lodging-house—had few surprises; and a number of alternative conjectures ran through her mind as she studied Phoebe's appearance.

'I'm sure, ma'am, I meant no offence,' she said, hurriedly; 'but, you see, Mr. Fenwick has never—as you might say—'