She smiled at him in answer—the old child-like smile, and Wallace at once said to himself, "She's not spoilt, and hardly a day older." "Well, yes,—rather, I suppose. What a windy day it is!" "Regular gale. Haven't seen anything like it since we came here. Tiles are flying about like snowflakes." "Not quite!" "Of course that's a figure of speech. I didn't get knocked down, but I might have been; anybody might be. I was glad I had promised to come, so that Prue could stay indoors. Nan meant to meet me, but she hasn't ventured." The drive was a long one, and much of it was performed in silence. Wallace had not a great deal to say, and Lettice had a great deal to see. Once only had she passed through London before, and visions of that day were strong, as the cab rattled noisily through street after street. "Nearly there now," Wallace said at length. "Are we? I'm glad." "You want a good rest." Wallace had been studying her fitfully, without seeming to do so. "I want to see them all again—" with another smile. "Well, just in a minute you will. Nan's sure to be on the look-out. Here we—Halloa! What's wrong?" Lettice had a bewildered sense of something unusual; of a dense crowd; of a policeman stopping the cab; of Wallace's exclamations. She said nothing herself, waiting to learn what had happened. Then Wallace flung himself out of the open door, and Prue's face appeared. "Lettice!" There was a kiss exchanged, despite the gaping crowd. "My dear, I am so glad to see you. But only think—such a thing has happened! Just within the last hour our stack of chimneys has been blown down, and the house is uninhabitable. Nobody is allowed to go near for fear the remaining chimneys should fall. The police have made a regular cordon." "O Prue, I am so sorry!" "It is unfortunate—to-day of all days. We have gone into some lodgings over the way, the only ones we could find empty near at hand, and I have been keeping a look-out for you. Every one is so busy. Drive to No. 15, please!" Prue said to the cabman, stepping in. "I don't see—where is Wallace?" "Gone off with my father. There are men at work bringing out the furniture." "Out of the house! But didn't you say nobody might go in?" "Nobody except those who are actually doing the work. Quite enough things are destroyed already. They will save as much as they can. I am so glad to see you at last, Lettice." "I wish I had not come to-day. I shall only be in the way. I am so sorry!"