He spent the greater part of his day at the Law Courts, and Doris found herself thrown a good deal upon her own resources.

In happier days this had been her ideal, but for some reason it did not now content her.
Returning from her encounter with Mrs.Lockyard at the club, she told herself with sudden petulance that life in town had lost all charm for her.
Entering the dainty sitting-room that looked on to the river, she dropped into a chair by the window and stared out with her chin in her hands.

The river was a blaze of gold.

A line of long black barges was drifting down-stream in the wake of a noisy steam-tug.

She watched them absently, sick at heart.
Gradually the shining water grew blurred and dim.