Ernestine Wendermott travelled back to London in much discomfort,being the eleventh occupant of a third-class carriage in a particularly unpunctual and dilatory train.Arrived at Waterloo,she shook out her skirts with a little gesture of relief and started off to walk to the Strand.Half-way across the bridge she came face to face with a tall,good-looking young man who was hurrying in the opposite direction.He stopped short as he recognised her,dropped his eyeglass,and uttered a little exclamation of pleasure.
"Ernestine,by all that's delightful!I am in luck to-day!"She smiled slightly and gave him her hand,but it was evident that this meeting was not wholly agreeable to her.
"I don't quite see where the luck comes in,"she answered."I have no time to waste talking to you now.I am in a hurry.""You will allow me,"he said hopefully,"to walk a little way with you?""I am not able to prevent it -if you think it worth while,"she answered.
He looked down -he was by her side now -in good-humoured protest.
"Come,Ernestine,"he said,"you mustn't bear malice against me.
Perhaps I was a little hasty when I spoke so strongly about your work.I don't like your doing it and never shall like it,but I've said all I want to.You won't let it divide us altogether,will you?""For the present,"she answered,"it occupies the whole of my time,and the whole of my thoughts.""To the utter exclusion,I suppose,"he remarked,"of me?"She laughed gaily.
"My dear Cecil!when have I ever led you to suppose for a moment that I have ever wasted any time thinking of you?"He was determined not to be annoyed,and he ignored both the speech and the laugh.
"May I inquire how you are getting on?"
"I am getting on,"she answered,"very well indeed.The Editor is beginning to say very nice things to me,and already the men treat me just as though I were a comrade!It is so nice of them!""Is it?"he muttered doubtfully.
"I have just finished,"she continued,"the most important piece of work they have trusted me with yet,and I have been awfully lucky.
I have been to interview a millionaire!"
"A man?"
She nodded."Of course!"
"It isn't fit work for you,"he exclaimed hastily.
"You will forgive me if I consider myself the best judge of that,"she answered coldly."I am a journalist,and so long as it is honest work my sex doesn't count.If every one whom I have to see is as courteous to me as Mr.Trent has been,I shall consider myself very lucky indeed.""As who?"he cried.
She looked up at him in surprise.They were at the corner of the Strand,but as though in utter forgetfulness of their whereabouts,he had suddenly stopped short and gripped her tightly by the arm.
She shook herself free with a little gesture of annoyance.
"Whatever is the matter with you,Cecil?Don't gape at me like that,and come along at once,unless you want to be left behind.
Yes,we are very short-handed and the chief let me go down to see Mr.Trent.He didn't expect for a moment that I should get him to talk to me,but I did,and he let me sketch the house.I am awfully pleased with myself I can tell you."The young man walked by her side for a moment in silence.She looked up at him casually as they crossed the street,and something in his face surprised her.
"Why,Cecil,what on earth is the matter with you?"she exclaimed.
He looked down at her with a new seriousness.
