‘Only been to the library! Suppose you give me those books. I have tried to call at your house again,’ he added, ‘but I have been so awfully busy. You would see all about my acceptance and Mr. Lippincott’s resignation in the papers.’ ‘Yes; I did not expect you to call again,’ said Helena, distantly. ‘Did you not? You speak as if you were offended. What have I done?’ By this time they were in the square, near the cab-stand, and it was high time to decide whether they were going in the same direction or not. ‘Where are you going?’ asked Sebastian. ‘To the omnibus office, till a Victoria Park omnibus comes, and then to Mrs. Galloway’s with the books. Where are you going?’ ‘I am going to see the pictures again,’ said Sebastian. ‘Don’t you think you had better come and see them too?’ ‘I! Oh, I am afraid I have not time,’ said Helena, taken aback by the proposal. ‘It is nearly four o’clock, and the books----’ ‘Oh, never mind the books. I am sure you want to see the pictures; and you must explain to me what I have done to offend you, and we can’t do that under an umbrella in the street.’ He signed to an observant cabby, who drove up, and Sebastian politely handed Helena into the vehicle. She did not know why she got into the cab, unless it was because Sebastian looked as if he were quite determined that she should do so, and she did not feel able to resist. ‘Royal Institution,’ said he, and followed her. They drove rapidly away. ‘I ought not to have come; it is very absurd,’ said Helena, uncomfortably. ‘I am quite sure you ought,’ he said, decidedly. He saw that Helena’s manner was changed. From her gravity and almost monosyllabic answers to his remarks he concluded that she was for some reason offended with him. He did not know that three weeks’ absence and silence had done more to favour his cause than three months’ assiduous courtship would have done. ‘Here we are! Now for the pictures!’ he observed, as they stopped before the Royal Institution. Helena laughed nervously, and did not know why she laughed. They stopped to leave their umbrellas with the porter, and she found Sebastian unfastening her cloak. ‘Because we shall be here a good while,’ said he, gravely. ‘The pictures are not to be done all in a minute.’ Helena did not resist. It was all very strange--comical almost. She felt as if it had been a pre-arranged meeting, and yet, she solemnly assured herself, that was impossible.