Barnet owned that he was not often present.

Downe looked at the crimson curtain which hung down beside the panes, reflecting its hot hues into their faces, and then out of the window.  At that moment there passed along the street a tall commanding lady, in whom the solicitor recognized Barnet’s wife.  Barnet had done the same thing, and turned away.

‘It will be all right some day,’ said Downe, with cheering sympathy.

‘You have heard, then, of her last outbreak?’

Downe depressed his cheerfulness to its very reverse in a moment.  ’No, I have not heard of anything serious,’ he said, with as long a face as one naturally round could be turned into at short notice.  ’I only hear vague reports of such things.’

‘You may think it will be all right,’ said Barnet drily.  ’But I have a different opinion . . .  No, Downe, we must look the thing in the face.  Not poppy nor mandragora—­however, how are your wife and children?’

Downe said that they were all well, thanks; they were out that morning somewhere; he was just looking to see if they were walking that way.  Ah, there they were, just coming down the street; and Downe pointed to the figures of two children with a nursemaid, and a lady walking behind them.

‘You will come out and speak to her?’ he asked.

’Not this morning.  The fact is I don’t care to speak to anybody just now.’

’You are too sensitive, Mr. Barnet.  At school I remember you used to get as red as a rose if anybody uttered a word that hurt your feelings.’

Barnet mused.  ‘Yes,’ he admitted, ’there is a grain of truth in that.  It is because of that I often try to make peace at home.  Life would be tolerable then at any rate, even if not particularly bright.’

‘I have thought more than once of proposing a little plan to you,’ said Downe with some hesitation.  ’I don’t know whether it will meet your views, but take it or leave it, as you choose.  In fact, it was my wife who suggested it:  that she would be very glad to call on Mrs. Barnet and get into her confidence.  She seems to think that Mrs. Barnet is rather alone in the town, and without advisers.  Her impression is that your wife will listen to reason.  Emily has a wonderful way of winning the hearts of people of her own sex.’

’And of the other sex too, I think.  She is a charming woman, and you were a lucky fellow to find her.’

‘Well, perhaps I was,’ simpered Downe, trying to wear an aspect of being the last man in the world to feel pride.  ’However, she will be likely to find out what ruffles Mrs. Barnet.  Perhaps it is some misunderstanding, you know—­something that she is too proud to ask you to explain, or some little thing in your conduct that irritates her because she does not fully comprehend you.  The truth is, Emily would have been more ready to make advances if she had been quite sure of her fitness for Mrs. Barnet’s society, who has of course been accustomed to London people of good position, which made Emily fearful of intruding.’