GREAT PORTER SQUARE: A MYSTERY. BY B. L. FARJEON, _Author of "Grif," "London's Heart," "The House of White Shadows," etc._ _IN THREE VOLUMES._ VOLUME II. LONDON: WARD AND DOWNEY, 12, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1885. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] PRINTED BY KELLY AND CO., GATE STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS: AND KINGSTON-ON-THAMES. CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE XX.--The "Evening Moon" concludes its narrative, and affords a further insight into the child-like and volatile character of Lydia Holdfast 1 XXI.--Richard Manx makes love to "sweet Becky" 31 XXII.--In which Becky gives way to her feelings, and renews an old acquaintance 42 XXIII.--"Justice" sends a letter to the Editor of the "Evening Moon" 62 XXIV.--Frederick Holdfast's Statement 88 XXV.--Frederick Holdfast's Statement (continued) 96 XXVI.--Frederick Holdfast's Statement (continued) 125 XXVII.--Frederick Holdfast's Statement (continued) 158 XXVIII.--Frederick Holdfast's Statement (continued) 189 XXIX.--Frederick Holdfast's Statement (concluded) 219 XXX.--Becky's reply to her Lover's Statement 245 GREAT PORTER SQUARE: A MYSTERY. CHAPTER XX. THE "EVENING MOON" CONCLUDES ITS NARRATIVE, AND AFFORDS A FURTHER INSIGHT INTO THE CHILD-LIKE AND VOLATILE CHARACTER OF LYDIA HOLDFAST. In the hope of her husband's return, and looking forward with sweet mysterious delight to the moment when she would hold her baby to her breast, Mrs. Holdfast was a perfectly happy woman--a being to be envied. She had some cause for anxiety in the circumstance that she did not hear from her husband, but she consoled herself with the reflection that his last letter to her afforded a sufficient explanation of his silence. She mentally followed his movements as the days passed by. Some little time would be occupied in settling his son's affairs; the young man most likely died in debt. Mr. Holdfast would not rest satisfied until he had ascertained the exact extent of his unhappy son's liabilities, and had discharged them. With Frederick's death must be cleared away the dishonour of his life. "Now that he was dead," said the widow, "I was ready to pity and forgive him."