And then rather sharply, perhaps a trifle anxiously,
Alfred Head leant over to his visitor, and looking at
her very straight, he said, "And do you bring any
news tonight? Not that there ever seems any good
news now -- and the other sort we can do without."

She understood that this was Mr. Head's polite
way of asking why she had come this evening, without
an invitation. Hurriedly she answered, "No news
of any special kind I have -- though much that me
concerns. Along to ask your advice I came. Supper
require I do not."

"Oh, but you must stop and have supper with us --
with me I mean," said Polly eagerly, "for Alfred
is going out -- aren't you, Alfred?"

He hesitated a moment. "I shall see about doing
that. There is no hurry. Well, what is it you want
to ask me, Mrs. Bauer?"

At once Anna plunged into her woes, disappointment,
and fears. Now that the excitement and pride
induced by the Address had gone from his face, Alfred
Head looked anxious and uneasy; but on hearing
Anna's great piece of news he looked up eagerly.

"Mrs. Otway and this Major Guthrie to be married
at the Cathedral tomorrow? But this is very exciting
news!" he exclaimed. "D'you hear that, Polly?
I think we must go to this ceremony. It will be very
interesting----" his eyes gleamed; there was a rather
wolfish light in them. "The poor gentleman is blind,
is he? It is lucky he will not see how old his bride
looks----" he added a word or two in German.

Anna shrank back, and, speaking German too, she
answered, "Mrs. Otway has a very young face, and
when not unhappy, she is very bright and lively. For

[[297]]

p296 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p297w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p298

v?