95

CHAPTER VI.

PAULINA AT HOME.'

FROM light of any sort into gloom is usually a depressing change. The gloom of the staircase in any Bolingbroke Place tenement is especially sombre and dispiriting. The light in the Charltons' room was, at all events, sunlight-as much of it as could get in; the slanting sunlight of evening. It ought to have been a depressing thing to pass suddenly from that sun-lighted room to a darksome and mournful staircase, that seemed to tell only of poverty and shabby failure. But our lovers felt only a sense of relief when they emerged from the light into the gloom. Nor was this merely because they were lovers, glad to be alone anywhere, carrying in whatever darkness their own little halo of peculiar light around them. There was something in the very atmosphere of the Charltons

now that depressed and dispirited. Even the gladness of lovers felt rebuked and chilled in that sad com

panionship.

They seem unhappy,' Gabrielle said as she and Fielding were going down the stairs together.

'I can't quite make Charlton out to-day,' Fielding answered; perhaps I can't quite make him out ever. He seems almost always morose and discontented; he works hard, poor fellow, and not much seems to come of it. But this evening he is particularly out of spirits -seems to be like what the Scotch call fey.'

'I wish we could do something to make them happy.'

'Perhaps we shall; perhaps he will get into a more reasonable mood; Janet may prevail on him. Gabrielle, you never saw my rooms? You never even looked into them. Come, you must give one glance in now before you go, and leave a memory of brightness and love there. I shall always hold them in my recollection as if they were a shrine, because it was there I lived when I first knew you. I hope to be able to get Lefussis to take them: they are much better than his; and if I could only juggle him into some belief that

he is to have them on the same terms, and if I could make up the difference without his knowledgeBut all these fellows are so ferociously independent, one does not know how to manage them.'

"You talk of ferocious independence, who would not even accept a benefit at the hands of a wife!'

'Well, that's a different thing, don't you see. These are my rooms; this is the door. Come, you must cross the threshold and consecrate the place for poor old Lefussis. Then he'll find some breath of happiness in the old den that he never will be able to account for to the end of his days. Apparently some one has been lighting my lamp for me. How con

siderate!'

Fielding opened the door and held it open for Gabrielle to pass in. She had barely crossed the threshold when she saw that there was some one, a woman, already in the room. She did not draw back; she assumed that it was some servant or caretaker who had been lighting the lamp. She entered the room. The woman turned towards her, and Gabrielle saw that she was in the presence of Paulina Vanthorpe. Paulina

was there, without bonnet, or shawl, or cloak, like one

at home.

'This is the old den, Gabrielle,' Fielding said as he followed her into the room.

Gabrielle stepped back and laid her hand upon his arm, as if to stay him from going any farther. It flashed across her mind that Paulina was mad. Fielding broke into an exclamation of surprise and anger at seeing the woman there.

'You didn't expect to see me, I know,' Paulina began in her grandest tone. No, I am an unwelcome apparition. But I am here, and I propose to stay here.'

How did you get in here?' Fielding asked sternly. 'I can do nothing for you. You must leave this place.'

said.

Paulina laughed scornfully.

You had no right to enter my room,' Fielding

Have I not? Yes, but I have, though-and I'll soon show you that I have. Gabrielle Vanthorpe, I am sorry for you. I said I would never harm or annoy you; and no more I would now, if I could; but you

will know in the end what a service I am doing you,

and

you will thank me for it one day.'

'What are we to do?' Gabrielle asked in a low

tone. The poor creature is mad.'

'I don't think it's madness,' Fielding said. 'I fancy it is a different cause. Look here, Mrs. Clark

'Well, Vanthorpe, then-whatever you like-it is: of no use your coming here and thrusting yourself on me. I can do nothing for you. You have taken your own course, and you know very well that this lady has already been only too kind to you. Why do you continue to annoy and alarm her? What do you want? Why do you come here? What good can you get by such foolery?'

I have come here because this is my proper home, as you know well. Oh, yes, you are a very clever actor, as I know well, and you can play the part of injured innocence delightfully; but I tell you whatthe game is up. I didn't mind until I heard that you were going to get married-married!'-and she laughed an hysterical laugh—‘and I wasn't going to stand that,