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Rh And then there came a ring at the bell and a knock at the door, and a rush along the nether passages, and the lady knew that he of whom she had been thinking had arrived. In olden days she had ever met him in the narrow passage, and, indifferent to the maid, she had hung about his neck and kissed him in the hall. But now she did not stir from her chair. She could forgive him all and run again at the sound of his footstep, but she must first know that such forgiveness and such running would be welcome.

'That's papa,' said Sophia.

'Don't forget that I have not met him since I have been home from Germany,' said Lucius. 'You must introduce me.'

In a minute or two Mr. Furnival opened the door and walked into the room. Men when they arrive from their travels now-a-days have no strippings of greatcoats, no deposits to make of thick shawls and double gloves, no absolutely necessary changes of raiment. Such had been the case when he had used to come back cold and weary from the circuits; but now he had left Birmingham since dinner by the late express, had enjoyed his nap in the train for two hours or so, and walked into his own drawing-room as he might have done had he dined in his own dining-room.

'How are you, Kitty?' he said to his wife, handing to her the forefinger of his right hand by way of greeting. 'Well, Sophy, my love;' and he kissed his daughter. 'Oh! Lucius Mason. I am very glad to see you. I can't say I should have remembered you unless I had been told. You are very welcome in Harley Street, and I hope you will often be here.'

'It's not very often he'd find you at home, Mr. Furnival,' said the aggrieved wife.

'Not so often as I could wish just at present; but things will be more settled, I hope, before very long. How's your mother, Lucius?'

'She's pretty well, thank you, sir. I've to meet her in town to-morrow, and go down home with her.'

There was then silence in the room for a few seconds, during which Mrs. Furnival looked very sharply at her husband. 'Oh! she's to be in town, is she?' said Mr. Furnival, after a moment's consideration. He was angry with Lady Mason at the moment for having put him into this position. Why had she told her son that she was to be up in London, thus producing conversation and tittle-tattle which made deceit on his part absolutely necessary? Lady Mason's business in London was of a nature which would not bear much open talking. She herself, in her earnest letter summoning Mr. Furnival up from Birmingham, had besought him that her visit to his chambers might not be made matter of discussion. New troubles might be coming on her, but also they might not; and she was very anxious that no one should know that she was seeking a