1. FROM THE TWELFTH OF FEBRUARY TO THE
SECOND OF MARCHOwen Graye's recovery from the illness that had incapacitated
him for so long a time was, professionally, the dawn of a brighter
prospect for him in every direction, though the change was at first
very gradual, and his movements and efforts were little more than
mechanical. With the lengthening of the days, and the revival of
building operations for the forthcoming season, he saw himself, for
the first time, on a road which, pursued with care, would probably
lead to a comfortable income at some future day. But he was still
very low down the hill as yet.
The first undertaking entrusted to him in the new year began
about a month after his return from Southampton. Mr. Gradfield had
come back to him in the wake of his restored h
