CHAPTER XVIII.
The beautiful but somewhat austere front of St.David's Hall seemed, in a sense, transformed, as Hamel and his companion climbed the worn grey steps which led on to the broad sweep of terrace.

Evidently visitors had recently arrived.

A dark, rather good-looking woman, with pleasant round face and a ceaseless flow of conversation, was chattering away to Mr.Fentolin.By her side stood another woman who was a stranger to Hamel--thin, still elegant, with tired, worn face, and the shadow of something in her eyes which reminded him at once of Esther.

She wore a large picture hat and carried a little Pomeranian dog under her arm.

In the background, an insignificant-looking man with grey side-whiskers and spectacles was beaming upon everybody.