There was nothing to do but to accept, and after having asked when the landlady might be expected in, and receiving the inevitable 'Really couldn't say for certain, sir, but I don't think she'll be long,' he sat down in a chair, weary and footsore; there were times when struck by a sudden thought he would make a movement as if to start from his seat; but instantly remembering his own powerlessness, he would slip back into his attitude of heavy fatigue. In the dining-room the clock ticked, and he listened to the passing of the minutes, tortured by the idea that his wife was suffering, dying, and that he was not near to help, to assist, to assuage. He forgot that they were penniless, homeless; all was lost in a boundless pity, and he listened to the footsteps growing sharper as they approached, and duller as they went. At last the sound of the latchkey was heard in the lock, and Dick started to his feet. It was the landlady. 'Have you seen my wife?' 'Yes, sir,' exclaimed the astonished woman; 'she was here this morning; all our rooms are let, so I couldn't----' 'Where has she gone to, do you know?' 'Well, sir, I was going to say, she asked me if I could recommend her to some quiet place, and I sent her to Mrs. Hurley's.' 'And will you give me Mrs. Hurley's address?' 'Yes, sir, certainly; but if I may make so bold, you're looking very tired--may I offer you a glass of beer? And Mrs. Lennox is looking very bad too, she is--' 'I'm much obliged, but I've no time; if you'd give me the address....' No sooner were the words spoken than, forgetful of his aching feet, Dick rushed away, and dodging the passers-by he ran until he laid hands on the knocker and bell in question. 'Is Mrs. Lennox staying here?' he asked of the lady who opened the door. 'There was a lady of that name who inquired for rooms here this morning.' 'And isn't she here? Why didn't she take the rooms?' 'Well, sir, she said she was expecting to be confined, and I didn't care to have illness in my house.' 'You don't mean to tell me that you turned her out? Oh, you atrocious--! If you were a man....' Overpowered with rage he stopped for words, and the woman, fearing he would strike her, strove to shut the door. But Dick, with his thick leg, prevented her, and at this moment they were joined by the maid, who screamed over her mistress's shoulder: 'The lady said she would come round here in a couple o' hours' time to ask for you, and I advised her to try for rooms at No. 28 in this street. You'll find her there.' This was enough for Dick, and loosing his hold on the door he made off; streets, carriages, passers-by, whirled before his eyes. 'Is Mrs. Lennox here?' he asked so roughly when the door was opened, that the maid regretted having said yes as soon as the word had passed her lips. 'On what floor?' 'The first, sir; but you'd better let me go up first. Mrs. Lennox is not very well; she's expecting her husband.' 'I'm her husband.'