Thesmellofrainwasintheair。Thecarraisednodust,butboredswiftlyon,searchingouttheroadwithitslamps。OnPutneyBridgeitsmarchwasstayedbyastringofwaggons。LordValleyslookedtorightandleft。Theriverreflectedthethousandlightsofbuildingspiledalonghersides,lampsoftheembankments,lanternsofmooredbarges。ThesinuouspallidbodyofthisgreatCreature,foreverglidingdowntothesea,rousedinhismindnosymbolicimage。Hehadhadtodowithher,yearsback,attheBoardofTrade,andknewherforwhatshewas,extremelydirty,andgettingabominablythinjustwherehewouldhavelikedherplump。Yet,ashelightedacigar,therecametohimaqueerfeeling——asifhewereinthepresenceofawomanhewasfondof。
\"IhopetoGod,\"hethought,\"nothing\'ilcomeofthesescares！\"Thecarglidedonintothelongroad,swarmingwithtraffic,towardsthefashionableheartofLondon。Outsidestationers\'shops,however,thepostersofeveningpaperswereofnoreassuringorder。
\'THEPLOTTHICKENS。\'
\'MOREREVELATIONS。\'
\'GRAVESITUATIONTHREATENED。\'