Page:Henry Northcote (IA henrynorthcote00snairich).pdf/79

 gaunt delicacy, but the obvious traces of suffering were permeated by a remarkable power. The features were irregular yet not unpleasing, the nose was straight and incisive, the eyes deep and luminous, the mouth large and full-lipped. The general expression was sombre, because it was so bluntly dominating, yet it was rendered memorable by many subtle qualities. Clearly it was one of those faces which to see was never to forget.

Mr. Whitcomb, in spite of his desire to get to Norbiton, and the severe tests to which his constitutional arrogance as an immensely successful man of the world had been subjected, owed too much to his trained powers of observation to lay them aside at a moment so remarkable.

"This fellow is cut to a big pattern," was his mental comment. "That is a splendid mask for an advocate. Upon my soul, if he were not so mad I think I should be inclined to back him heavily. Yet I believe he is literally starving."

The solicitor rose abruptly from the table to dispel his reverie.

"Rather than you should feel you have ground for complaint," said he abruptly, as if touched by compassion, "I shall ask you to allow me to advance half of your fee; and to-morrow I will send you some other sort of work."

Mr. Whitcomb unrolled a note for ten pounds and gave it to Northcote.

"Now," he said, "kindly return the brief and I will go."

Northcote crumpled up the note and thrust it in his pocket.

"I accept half my fee," said he, "not as a bribe,