Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. I, 1889.djvu/157

 to you. I have heard of you from people a grandchild of mine is living with. I daresay it is the house you mean,—in Clerkenwell Close."

"So you have found it!" exclaimed Sidney with pleasure. "I've been looking about for you as I walked along the streets these last two or three days."

"Looking for me?" said the other, astonished.

Sidney supplied the explanation, but without remarking on the circumstances which made Jane so anxious to discover a possible friend. Snowdon listened attentively, and at length, with a slight smile; he seemed to find pleasure in the young man's way of expressing himself. When silence ensued, he looked about absently for a moment; then, meeting Sidney's eyes, said in a grave voice:

"That poor child is very ill."

"Ill? I'm sorry to hear it."

"The reason I've come to you, Mr. Kirkwood, is because she's called out your name so often. They don't seem able to tell me