I

           “ProfessorJoslin,who,asourreadersaredoubtlessaware,isengagedinwritingthelifeofMrs.Aubyn,asksustostatethathewillbegreatlyindebtedtoanyofthefamousnovelist’sfriendswhowillfurnishhimwithinformationconcerningtheperiodprevioustohercomingtoEngland.Mrs.Aubynhadsofewintimatefriends,andconsequentlysofewregularcorrespondents,thatletterswillbeofspecialvalue.ProfessorJoslin’saddressis10AugustaGardens,Kensington,andhebegsustosaythathewillpromptlyreturnanydocumentsentrustedtohim.”

           GlennarddroppedtheSpectatorandsatlookingintothefire.Theclubwasfillingup,buthestillhadtohimselfthesmallinnerroom,withitsdarkeningoutlookdowntherain-streakedprospectofFifthAvenue.Itwasalldullanddismalenough,yetamomentearlierhisboredomhadbeenperverselytingedbyasenseofresentmentatthethoughtthat,asthingsweregoing,hemightintimehavetosurrendereventhedespisedprivilegeofboringhimselfwithinthoseparticularfourwalls.Itwasnotthathecaredmuchfortheclub,butthattheremotecontingencyofhavingtogiveitupstoodtohim,justthen,perhapsbyveryreasonofitsinsignificanceandremoteness,forthesymbolofhisincreasingabnegations;ofthatperpetualparing-offthatwasgraduallyreducingexistencetothenakedbusinessofkeepinghimselfalive.