She went back to London, to the little south room that had been kept for her. You could hear the roar of the traffic in Baker Street from it, not aggressively, but as from a great distance. That in itself was company. If you craned out of the window and looked along the street you could see the gay red omnibuses pass the end of the road. But it was lonely in the hotel. Save for one old lady, who objected to all newcomers, she was by herself there all day. The other people snatched hasty breakfasts early in the morning, and did not appear again until dinner-time.

Miss Arden was upset that Elizabeth would not come back to live at home. In that resolve Elizabeth was unshakeable. She could give no reasons, because they would have hurt Miss Arden; she could only repeat that she wanted to live alone.

Lawrence fumed and was aggrieved. It was impossible that his little girl should do such a thing. If she refused to return to her husband—really, he would never have believed that Elizabeth could be so selfish and unreasonable— she must live under the shelter of her father’s roof. That was his last word.

It wasn’t his last word by any means, but his arguments made no impression on Elizabeth. She listened wearily, and when he had finished, said,

“I’m sorry, father. I prefer to stay where I am.”

“And pray what am I to say to Stephen?” Lawrence inquired. “Do you suppose he will approve of this—this independence? I never heard of such a thing. I’m most disappointed in you, Elizabeth. I can’t get over your behaviour.”

“I’m sorry. Stephen knows what I am doing. He quite approves.”

“I don’t know what the world’s coming to!” Lawrence said. “I should have thought the least Stephen could do would have been to come and see me. Instead of that he writes me a letter, stating the facts in what I can only call a very curt way. The whole affair is most disgraceful and uncalled for. If you want my opinion, there it is.”

She didn’t want it. He was futile and tiresome. If only he would leave her alone! If only Miss Arden would not say, Oh, my dear, I’m not surprised! I felt it coming! Miss Arden wanted to hear the full story; she worried Elizabeth to tell her everything. In desperation Elizabeth said,

“It’s between Stephen and me. I can’t tell anyone. Please leave me alone!”

Then Miss Arden would look hurt, and shake her head.

“How you’ve changed, Elizabeth!” she would sigh.

Elizabeth’s visits home grew less and less frequent. Often when Miss Arden came to her hotel she told the porter to say that she had gone out. Aunt Anne meant to be kind, but she made matters worse.