“It is not necessary to be married to know these things,” Miss Arden said, with heightened colour. “And if Stephen was not selfish, I should like to know why you have left him.”

“We won’t discuss it,” Elizabeth said. “Did I tell you that Mr. Hengist has found an amusement for me?”

The bait was successful; Miss Arden followed it into fresh waters.

“Oh, that man! I really don’t know how I have been able to put up with him all these years. I daresay he means well, but his manners leave much to be desired and he is far too fond of interfering in what doesn’t concern him.”

“At all events,” Elizabeth interrupted, “he’s solved my difficulty.”

“What difficulty? If you wanted advice or help, darling, I think you might have come to me. I know it is the fashion nowadays to go to anyone sooner than one’s nearest and dearest, but I am not quite a fool, Elizabeth.”

“I didn’t want help. At least, I didn’t know that I wanted it until Mr. Hengist came to see me.”

“Oh, so he has been to see you? He said so little when I told him what had happened that I could hardly make out whether he was interested or bored.”

“I expect he was bored,” said Elizabeth audaciously. “Anyway, he suggested that as I must have occupation of some kind I should learn to type.”

“If that isn’t just like a man!” Miss Arden exclaimed; “Learn to type, indeed! Oh, yes, I know very well what that means! Stuffing indoors all day over a noisy typewriter! I hope to goodness you won’t do anything so foolish.”

It was so long since Elizabeth had been in the habit of obeying her aunt’s orders and listening to her disapproving criticism, that she was irritated now and impatient. It was not thus that she had been criticised during the past year.

“I’m certainly going to learn. Then I’m going to take in work—literary work. It’ll be great fun and I shall enjoy it.” She expected strenuous opposition; she was surprised and interested to see Miss Arden collapse.

“Well, I think it’s great nonsense, and most injudicious of Mr. Hengist to suggest it. I shall tell him so when next I see him. And pray, have you considered how you are to afford a typewriter?”

“Mr. Hengist is giving me one.”

“Oh, indeed! He takes a great deal on himself, I must say. It’s not even as though he were related to us. I should have thought you might have consulted your father or me.”

“I don’t think either of you would be much good,” Elizabeth said. “You don’t know people who’d want typing done, do you?”

“That’s entirely beside the point, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth said nothing.