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On the evening of August 8, a week after the expedition to Robin Hill,

in the dining-rooant'--Soames and Irene were seated at dinner A hot dinner on

Sundays was a little distinguishing elegance common to this house and

many others Early in married life Soaive us hot dinner on Sundays--they've nothing to do but

play the concertina'

The custom had produced no revolution For--to Soan--servants were devoted to Irene, who, in defiance of

all safe tradition, appeared to recognise their right to a share in the

weaknesses of human nature

The happy pair were seated, not opposite each other, but rectangularly,

at the handsouishing elegance--and so far had not spoken a word

Soa dinner about business, or what he had been

buying, and so long as he talked Irene's silence did not distress hi he had found it i on his mind all the week, and he had made up his mind

to tell her

His nervousness about this disclosure irritated him profoundly; she had

no business to

one person She had not looked at him once since they sat down; and he