I reminded him of our talks at Menton. Goodness me, the man had dined for the express purpose of meeting Will and deciding what kind of work would suit him best. "We have to make our plans," I explained. "I don't think we need discuss this," he said. "Your son, as you told me, has no experience or technical knowledge, so that, if I employed him at all, I should employ him for his qualities of character. I should not dream of judging any man on a single meeting, so I think we had better postpone a decision until I have had better opportunity of studying his honour and generosity." And that is how we stand at present... Will thinks that there is nothing to hope for in that quarter, but I cannot believe that, when a man has given a solemn promise, he will try to wriggle out of it. Sir Appleton owes a good deal to me; but for my advice and really _untiring_ pains he would still be plain Mr. Deepe, unknown to any one outside his business... Of the girl we have heard nothing for two days. If she _must_ live on some one else's doorstep, I should be thankful to know that she had transferred herself to his... But our existence is like life in a beleaguered city, never knowing when the next attack will be delivered. XI LADY ANN SPENWORTH FINDS HER HEART WARMING _Lady Ann_ (_to a friend of proved discretion_): Indeed I think I may claim that you have come to the right person. I returned from the Hall only this morning, so I am well primed with news. And very, very happy. It is only since I have been established once more in the beleaguered city that I have had to remember this menace. No! Not a word or sign! The old clergyman descended on us from Morecambe, protesting that my boy Will had promised to marry his daughter; the daughter came and told a cock-and-bull story which proved her own abandonment without establishing anything against my boy; and, since then, nothing! But one does not choose to be a standing target for that sort of thing. When next Miss Molly Phenton (or Wanton) comes to Mount Street, she may find that Will is safely married to some one else or that I have sent him abroad. I have lost the thread... Ah, yes, the great romance! In that atmosphere of radiance one forgot one's troubles...