half turned towards her. Leaping into her mind came the realisation that she was sitting there talking to someone ... _Marvellous_ to speak and hear a voice answer. Astounding; more marvellous and astounding than anything they could discuss. Grace must know this, even if she were unconscious of it ... some little sound they could both hear, a little mark upon the stillness, scattering light and relief. She turned her eyes and met Grace's, velvety, deeply sparkling, shedding admiration and tyrannous love, patiently waiting--Well,--said Miriam, sleepily feeling for a thread of connected thought.--D'you mean a difference about my taking aunt to call, asked Grace with fear in her eyes.--No, my dear, said Miriam impatiently.--Can't you see you can't do that anyhow?----They've only been there five years, said Grace in a low determined recitative--We've lived in what's almost the same neighbourhood, fifteen. So it's our place to call first--Miriam sighed harshly.--That doesn't make a _scrap_ of difference she retorted flushing with anger.--I wish I had your grasp of things Miriam dear, said Grace with gentle weariness.--Well--we've got to-morrow and Monday said Miriam getting up with an appearance of briskness and striking random notes on the piano. Grace laughed.--I suppose we ought to light the gas she said getting up?--Why?----Oh well--Florrie will be coming in and asking why we're sitting in the dark----What if she does?----Oh, I think I'll light it Miriam. Miriam sat down again and stared into the fire. After supper they would all sit, harshly visible, round the hot fire, enduring the stifling unneeded gaslight. CHAPTER II 1 Miriam rolled up the last pair of mended stockings....