Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/52



it be late before he comes back?” asked Sidney, his smile of greeting shadowed with disappointment.

“Not later than half-past ten, he said.”

Sidney turned his face to the stairs. The homeward prospect was dreary after that glimpse of the familiar room through the doorway. The breach of habit discomposed him, and something more positive strengthened his reluctance to be gone. It was not his custom to hang in hesitancy and court chance by indirectness of speech; recognising and admitting his motives, he said simply:

“I should like to stay a little, if you will let me,—if I shan’t be in your way?”