"James--oh, he's been dreadful. His wife has run away from their lodgings; and now he says she was not his wife at all, and Susannah is breaking her heart, for she can't bring him to the point. When she suggests marriage he does all his things up in a bundle and says he's going to Australia. I'll get father to turn him out when he comes back." "Let me," said Charles, who felt an imperative desire to kick some one--himself, if possible--that being out of the question--James. "No," said Fanny, as he rose and took his hat preparatory to departing, "for she'd follow him, and I'd be left alone. Who is this?" A hansom cab was crashing up the gravel drive. "It's father--and Miss Pursehouse." "Who do you say?" cried Bevan. "Miss Pursehouse." "Fanny!" cried Mr Bevan in desperation. "Yes?" "Don't let them in here, don't let them see me." "Then quick," said Fanny, not knowing the truth of the matter, but guessing that Charles as a rejected lover had his feelings, and preferred not to meet her father. She led him across the hall and down some steps, then pushed him into a passage, which, being pursued, led to the kitchen, whence through the scullery flight might be effected by the back entry of "The Laurels." End of Project Gutenberg's Fanny Lambert, by Henry De Vere Stacpoole