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streamed in aslant through its small windows； and growing
dimmer by degrees； were quenched in the gathering gloom below；
some； noisy passengers； mechanics going home from work； and
otherwise； who hurried quickly through； waking the echoes with
their voices； and soon darkening the small door in the distance； as
they passed into the street beyond； some； in busy conference
together on political or private matters； pacing slowly up and
down with eyes that sought the ground； and seeming； by their
attitudes； to listen earnestly from head to foot。 Here； a dozen
squabbling urchins made a very Babel in the air； there； a solitary
man； half clerk； half mendicant； paced up and down with hungry
dejection in his look and gait； at his elbow passed an errand…lad；
swinging his basket round and round； and with his shrill whistle
riving the very timbers of the roof； while a more observant
schoolboy； half…way through； pocketed his ball； and eyed the
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distant beadle as he came looming on。 It was that time of evening
when； if you shut your eyes and open them again； the darkness of
an hour appears to have gathered in a second。 The smooth…worn
pavement； dusty with footsteps； still called upon the lofty walls to
reiterate the shuffle and the tread of feet unceasingly； save when
the closing of some heavy door resounded through the building
like a clap of thunder； and drowned all other noises in its rolling
sound。
Mr Haredale； glancing only at such of these groups as he passed
nearest to； and then in a manner betokening that his thoughts
were elsewhere； had nearly traversed the Hall； when two persons
before him caught his attention。 One of these； a gentleman in
elegant attire； carried in his hand a cane； which he twirled in a
jaunty manner as he loitered on； the other； an obsequious；
crouching； fawning figure； listened to what he said—at times
throwing in a humble word himself—and； with his shoulders
shrugged up to his ears； rubbed his hands submissively； or
answered at intervals by an inclination of the head； half…way
between a nod of acquiescence； and a bow of most profound
respect。
In the abstract there was nothing very remarkable in this pair；
for servility waiting on a handsome suit of clothes and a cane—not
to speak of gold and silver sticks； or wands of office—is common
enough。 But there was that about the well…dressed man； yes； and
about the other likewise； which struck Mr Haredale with no
pleasant feeling。 He hesitated； stopped； and would have stepped
aside and turned out of his path； but at the moment； the other two
faced about quickly； and stumbled upon him before he could avoid
them。
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The gentleman with the cane lifted his hat and had begun to
tender an apology； which Mr Haredale had begun as hastily to
acknowledge and walk away； when he stopped short and cried；
‘Haredale！ Gad bless me； this is strange indeed！’
‘It is；’ he returned impatiently； ‘yes—a—’
‘My dear friend；’ cried the other； detaining him； ‘why such great
speed？ One minute； Haredale； for the sake of old acquaintance。’
‘I am in haste；’ he said。 ‘Neither of us has sought this meeting。
Let it be a brief one。 Good night！’
‘Fie； fie！’ replied Sir John （for it was he）； ‘how very churlish！ We
were speaking of you。 Your name was on my lips—perhaps you
heard me mention it？ No？ I am sorry for that。 I am really sorry。—
You know our friend here； Haredale？ This is really a most
remarkable meeting！’
The friend； plainly very ill at ease； had made bold to press Sir
John’s arm； and to give him other significant hints that he was
desirous of avoiding this introduction。 As it did not suit Sir John’s
purpose； however； that it should be evaded； he appeared quite
unconscious of these silent remonstrances； and inclined his hand
towards him； as he spoke； to call attention to him more
particularly。
The friend； therefore； had nothing for it； but to muster up the
pleasantest smile he could； and to make a conciliatory bow； as Mr
Haredale turned his eyes upon him。 Seeing that he was
recognised； he put out his hand in an awkward and embarrassed
manner； which was not mended by its contemptuous rejection。
‘Mr Gashford！’ said Haredale； coldly。 ‘It is as I have heard then。
You have left the darkness for the light； sir； and hate those whose
opinions you formerly held； with all the bitterness of a renegade。
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You are an honour； sir； to any cause。 I wish the one you espouse at
present； much joy of the acquisition it has made。’
The secretary rubbed his hands and bowed； as though he would
disarm his adversary by humbling himself before him。 Sir John
Chester again exclaimed； with an air of great gaiety； ‘Now； really；
this is a most remarkable meeting！’ and took a pinch of snuff with
his usual self…possession。
‘Mr Haredale；’ said Gashford； stealthily raising his eyes； and
letting them drop again when they met the other’s steady gaze； is
too conscientious； too honourable； too manly； I am sure； to attach
unworthy motives to an honest change of opinions； even though it
implies a doubt of those he holds himself。 Mr Haredale is too just；
too generous； too clear…sighted in his moral vision； to—’
‘Yes； sir？’ he rejoined with a sarcastic smile； finding the
secretary stopped。 ‘You were saying’—
Gashford meekly shrugged his shoulders； and looking on the
ground again； was silent。
‘No； but let us really；’ interposed Sir John at this juncture； ‘let
us really； for a moment； contemplate the ver