THE HUSBAND AND THE WIFE It was past six o'clock when Hilary at length reached home, preceded a little by Miranda, who almost felt within her the desire to eat.

The lilac bushes, not yet in flower, were giving forth spicy fragrance.

The sun still netted their top boughs, as with golden silk, and a blackbird, seated on a low branch of the acacia-tree, was summoning the evening.
Mr.Stone, accompanied by the little model, dressed in her new clothes, was coming down the path.

They were evidently going for a walk, for Mr.
Stone wore his hat, old and soft and black, with a strong green tinge, and carried a paper parcel, which leaked crumbs of bread at every step.
The girl grew very red.

She held her head down, as though afraid of Hilary's inspection of her new clothes.