"Felix!" Even before she could turn to look at him, the voice was unmistakable. "You don't say it's Lettice! Hallo! This time in the morning! You are an early bird! Well, how do you do?" He evidently expected no particular demonstration of feeling, and his careless kiss administered a chill. Still there was brotherly interest in his survey of her. "It is such a surprise. Why did you not write? How did you manage to come?" "No use in writing. I say, what have you been crying about?" "Oh, it doesn't matter. I was only—silly." "Like the little goose you always were." "I was disappointed—not getting any letter from you. It's my birthday." "Yes. Many happy returns. I've meant to come for some time, and this was as good a day as any. Not to sleep—no, not I. I shall go back by an evening train. I've half a mind not to see the Bryants at all, if I—I mean, now I have seen you. What's the good?" "Felix, you must. He is so kind to me. You must thank him. If he were my own father, he could not do more." "And she?" "I don't think Mrs. Bryant cares for me much. She is different—but of course she doesn't mean to be unkind." "If I come, I shall not stay. Mind that. When have you got to be in? Nine o'clock? And how far-off? We can take it easily. You've grown any amount—and you're not such a bad-looking girl either. Quite tolerable." "Felix, you'll be nice to uncle Bryant." She laid her hand pleadingly on his arm. "Please do." "Why shouldn't I? Oh, you mean what I used to say. A boy's fancy. It is a good thing you are able to be here." "When will you have a home for me?" "Can't say, I'm sure. It's slow work. However, I have news to tell. I am going to London." "To leave Brighton?" "Yes. It is Mr. Kelly's doing. He has a living there, and he is getting me into a first-rate house of business. No, not a stationer's. Tea-trade. Not a retail shop, but a wholesale house of business. If I do well, there's no reason why I shouldn't make my fortune some day. Everybody says I am capital in that line. I mean to stick to it, and lay by, and sooner or later I may become a partner. At least I hope so. I don't see why not. I'll be a successful man in time. Life would not be worth living without." Lettice thought of the dying message of Cecilia. Had he no recollection of those burning words? "Is it always the best thing for one to be successful?" she asked. "Of course. What a question." "I don't mean that one ought not to try to get on. But that alone doesn't seem worth living for." "If it isn't, I don't know what is." "What Sissie said—" very low. "Oh, of course. I say, what sort of a person is Mrs. Bryant? Something of a termagant?" "O no—I don't think—Oh, she is only a little quick-tempered. You must not mind if she does not seem particularly pleased to see you. Dr. Bryant will be delighted." "Then you don't call him uncle?" "Very often. Always when we are alone together, but Mrs. Bryant doesn't much like it."