Peak heard this with a shock of surprise which thrilled in him deliciously. He had the strongest desire to look again at Sidwell but refrained. As no one spoke, he turned to Bertha Lilywhite and put a commonplace question. A servant entered with the tea-tray, and placed it on a small table near Fanny. Godwin looked at the younger girl; it seemed to him that there was an excess of colour in her cheeks. Had a glance from Sidwell rebuked her? With his usual rapidity of observation and inference he made much of this trifle. Contrary to what he expected, Sidwell's next remark was in a tone of cheerfulness, almost of gaiety. 'One advantage of our stay in London will be that home will seem more delightful than ever when we return.' 'I suppose you won't be back till next summer?' 'I am afraid not.' 'Shall you be living here then?' Fanny inquired. 'It's very doubtful.' He wished to answer with a decided negative, but his tongue refused. Sidwell was regarding him with calm but earnest eyes, and he knew, without caring to reflect, that his latest projects were crumbling. 'Have you been to see our friends at Budleigh Salterton yet?' she asked. 'Not yet. I hope to in a few days.' Pursuing the subject, he was able to examine her face as she spoke of Mr. Moorhouse. His conjecture was assuredly baseless. Fanny and Bertha began to talk together of domestic affairs, and presently, when tea-cups were laid aside, the two girls went to another part of the room; then they withdrew altogether. Peak was monologising on English art as represented at the Academy, but finding himself alone with Sidwell (it had never before happened) he became silent. Ought he to take his leave? He must already have been sitting here more than half-an-hour. But the temptation of _tête-à-tête_ was irresistible. 'You had a visit from Mr. Chilvers the other day?' he remarked, abruptly. 'Yes; did he call to see you?' Her tone gave evidence that she would not have introduced this topic. 'No; I heard from Mrs. Lilywhite. He had been to the vicarage. Has he changed much since he was at Whitelaw?' 'So many years must make a difference at that time of life,' Sidwell answered, smiling. 'But does he show the same peculiarities of manner?' He tried to put the question without insistency, in a tone quite compatible with friendliness. Her answer, given with a look of amusement, satisfied him that there was no fear of her taking Mr Chilvers too seriously. 'Yes. I think he speaks in much the same way.' 'Have you read any of his publications?' 'One or two. We have his lecture on _Altruism_.' 'I happen to know it. There are good things in it, I think. But I dislike his modern interpretation of old principles.' 'You think it dangerous?' He no longer regarded her frankly, and in the consciousness of her look upon him he knit his brows.