Need I say
how glad I am that my friend's work is not to be forgotten?'
This note he also put into the envelope, which he made ready for
posting. Then he sat for a long time in profound thought.
Shortly after eleven his door opened, and Maud came in. She had
been dining at Mrs Lane's. Her attire was still simple, but of
quality which would have signified recklessness, but for the
outlook whereof Jasper spoke to Whelpdale. The girl looked very
beautiful. There was a flush of health and happiness on her
cheek, and when she spoke it was in a voice that rang quite
differently from her tones of a year ago; the pride which was
natural to her had now a firm support; she moved and uttered
herself in queenly fashion.
'Has anyone been?' she asked.
'Whelpdale.'
'Oh! I wanted to ask you, Jasper: do you think it wise to let him
come quite so often?'
'There's a difficulty, you see. I can hardly tell him to sheer
off. And he's really a decent fellow.'
'That may be. But--I think it's rather unwise. Things are
changed. In a few months, Dora will be a good deal at my house,
and will see all sorts of people.
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