Mr. Wharton was all alone when they entered the drawing-room,--but, as Lopez had surmised, had asked his sister-in-law round the corner to come to dinner. "Roby always likes an excuse to get to his club," said the old man, "and Harriet likes an excuse to go anywhere." It was not long before Lopez began to play his part by seating himself close to the open window and looking out into the Square; and Emily when she found herself close to her father, with her hand in his, could hardly divest herself of a feeling that she also was playing her part. "I see so very little of you," said the old man plaintively. "I'd come up oftener if I thought you'd like it." "It isn't liking, my dear. Of course you have to live with your husband. Isn't this sad about Everett?" "Very sad. But Everett hasn't lived here for ever so long." "I don't know why he shouldn't. He was a fool to go away when he did. Does he go to you?" "Yes;--sometimes." "And what does he say?" "I'm sure he would be with you at once if you would ask him." "I have asked him. I've sent word by Lopez over and over again. If he means that I am to write to him and say that I'm sorry for offending him, I won't. Don't talk of him any more. It makes me so angry that I sometimes feel inclined to do things which I know I should repent when dying." "Not anything to injure Everett, papa!" "I wonder whether he ever thinks that I am an old man and all alone, and that his brother-in-law is daily with me. But he's a fool, and thinks of nothing. I know it is very sad being here night after night by myself." Mr. Wharton forgot, no doubt, at the moment, that he passed the majority of his evenings at the Eldon,--though, had he been reminded of it, he might have declared with perfect truth that the delights of his club were not satisfactory. "Papa," said Emily, "would you like us to come and live here?" "What,--you and Lopez;--here, in the Square?" "Yes;--for a time. He is thinking of giving up the place in Belgrave Mansions." "I thought he had them for--for ever so many months." "He does not like them, and they are expensive, and he can give them up. If you would wish it, we would come here,--for a time." He turned round and looked at her almost suspiciously; and she,--she blushed as she remembered how accurately she was obeying her husband's orders. "It would be such a joy to me to be near you again." There was something in her voice which instantly reassured him. "Well--;" he said; "come and try it if it will suit him. The house is big enough. It will ease his pocket and be a comfort to me. Come and try it."