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Updated: June 20, 2025
In a minute or two she ran downstairs to exchange a word with Mrs. Byass. On entering the kitchen she was surprised to see Bessie sitting idly by the fire. At this hour it was usual for Mr. Byass to have returned, and there was generally an uproar of laughing talk. This evening, dead silence, and a noticeable something in the air which told of trouble.
At length she called for Mrs. Byass, for whose benefit the story was repeated. 'I'm sure you oughtn't to go there to-day, was Bessie's opinion. 'You've quite enough trouble of your own, my dear. 'And that's just what I was a-sayin', mum, assented Mrs. Griffin, who had won Bessie's highest opinion by her free use of respectful forms of address.
At ten o'clock next morning, just when Jane was preparing for her visit to Merlin Place, so possessed with anxiety to ascertain if Pennyloaf knew anything about Clara Hewett that all her troubles were for the moment in the back ground, Bessie Byass came running upstairs with a strange announcement. Sidney Kirkwood had called, and wished to see Miss Snowdon in private for a few minutes.
Without intending it, she ceased upon a word which to her hearer conveyed a twofold meaning. He understood; offer what he might, it could not tempt her to forget the love which had been the best part of her life. She was faithful to the past, and unchanging. Mrs. Byass never suspected the second purpose for which her lodger had desired to speak with Jane this evening.
'Oh dear! Jane recognised a situation which had already come under her notice once or twice during the last six months She drew near, and asked in a low voice: 'What's happened, Mrs. Byass? 'He's a beast! If he doesn't mind I shall go and leave him. I mean it! Bessie was in a genuine fit of sullenness.
Sidney could not refuse a smile, but it was a gloomy one. 'I'm not sure you've done all you might have to keep her friends with you, he said seriously, but with a good-natured look. 'There you go! exclaimed Mrs. Byass, throwing back her head. 'Of course everybody must be in fault sooner than her! She's an angel is Miss Hewett! Poor dear! to think how shameful she's been used!
So it befell that she did not hear a knock at the house-door. Mrs. Byass answered it, and not knowing that Mr. Snowdon was from home, bade his usual visitor go upstairs. The visitor did so, and announced his presence at the door of the room. 'Oh, Mr. Kirkwood, said Jane, 'I'm so sorry, but grandfather had to go out with a gentleman. And she waited, looking at him, a gentle warmth on her face.
'He's a cool hand, is Mr. Kirkwood. He knows how to wait. When something happens, we shall have him taking a house out at Highbury, you see if he don't. Sidney turned upon her with anything but a jesting look. 'What do you mean by that, Mrs. Byass? he asked, sharply. 'When what happens? What are you hinting at? 'Bless us and save us! cried Bessie. 'Here, Sam, he's going to swallow me.
Dire visions of infection at once assailed Mrs. Byass; impossible to admit under the same roof with her baby a person who had just been ill. This scruple was, however, overcome; the two rooms at the top of the house unfurnished had been long vacant, owing to fastidiousness in Mr. and Mrs.
Martin's sheep station, where a pleasant young fellow, Byass by name, who had lost an arm in wars of some kind, and was then in charge, ministered to my wants, and allowed me to take well-nigh the largest breakfast on record in those parts. I must not continue in such detail with the rest of my western tours' incidents, especially as the second was mostly over the same ground as the first.
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