'I'm sure you've worked too much.' 'I have worked hard--at times.' There was a grimness in his tone which it is to be hoped she did not detect. 'As a result of my--labours, I have amassed a small fortune which will relieve me, in the future, from the necessity of making more money, and will enable me to devote the whole of my attention to the claims of my wife and family.' 'Do you mean that you are rich?' 'Rich is a relative term, I hope that I have enough to provide us all with bread and cheese for the remainder of our days.' 'Without working any more?' 'Without working any more.' 'James, shan't we be happy?' I think we shall. It's about my idea of happiness to have you always close at hand.' 'James!' 'My idea is to leave this part of the world behind us; and--what do you say to a little travel?' 'Travel? I've always wanted to travel,--and with you! But it costs so much.' 'I'll see that it doesn't cost more than I can afford, Then, when we've had enough of travelling, we'll decide which of the places we have seen we like best, and there we'll take up our abode.' 'James, how good God is to us!' Mr. Merrett said nothing, His lips were wrinkled by a peculiar smile, which it was perhaps as well for her peace of mind that she did not see; and he smoothed the lady's lovely hair. While the silence still remained unbroken the door opened--manners in Little Olive Street are primitive--and Mr. Augustus FitzHoward stood looking in. CHAPTER XXXII THE LAST JOURNEY TO TWICKENHAM HOUSE The scene which met his eyes appeared to fill Mr. FitzHoward with an access of amazement to which it was altogether beyond his power to give adequate expression. Mr. Merrett, on the other hand, greeted him with a smile of the heartiest kind. 'What you, Fitz! How goes it, my old pal?' The fashion of the greeting seemed to render Mr. FitzHoward's amazement greater. On a sudden words came tumbling from his lips. 'So you have come home. Well, I'm a Dutchman if this doesn't beat anything!' 'Who says you're a Dutchman? You give me his name and address and I'll pay him a call. Yes, Fitz, I have come home; and I hope you're as glad to see me as I am to see you.' 'You weren't glad to see me a little while ago.' 'I should have been if I'd had the luck. But we don't always have the luck. I hope, old man, that my presence hasn't caused you any inconvenience?' Mr. FitzHoward had his hands in his trousers' pockets; his agitation was such that it caused him to agitate those garments in a way which was peculiar. 'I don't know what kind of a fool you take me for. I know I'm a bit of one, but I'm not the altogether you seem to think.' 'What's the matter with you, Fitz? Perhaps it's because I haven't seen you for so long, but your manner appears to me to be a trifle odd.' 'I suppose you're not the Marquis of Twickenham now?' 'Not who? I say, have you--been beginning early?'