Madame Midas

r is known only as the author of the delightfully quaint ballad of John Gilpin. Yet he was undoubtedly the Poet Laureate of domesticity, and every householder should possess a bust or picture of hi

ut never be permitted to die out altogether. Miss Sprotts, as before mentioned, was much in favour of a constant fire, because of the alleged dampness of the house, and Madame Midas did not by any means object, as she was a perfect salamander for heat. Hence,

oom, poring over a bewildering array of figures, and the soft glow of

pid scratching of Madame’s pen or the click of Selina’s needles. At last Mrs Villiers, with a sigh o

e,’ she said, as she put the papers away, ‘

in his chair, lest the imputation of having been asleep should be brought against him. ‘It’s

said Madame, resuming

hat ye canna figure yersel’, mem, but really ye need a rest, and if I

; ‘the mine is fairly under way now, and if things go

oor, which caused Selina to drop her work

e, in a quiet voice; ‘let Arc

t; ‘’tis verra likely a man fra the warks saying he wants to go. There

dread of her husband breaking in on her, and it was partly on this account that McIntosh stayed in the house. She heard a mu

said Archie, respectfully. ‘Ain o’ them has a wee bit let

e delicacy of his hands, and looked up suddenly with a piercing gaze. He bore the scrutiny coolly, and took a chair in silence, his companion doing the same, w

dsome face of the young man; then looking at his companion, she saw by his lumpish

hem, and his face broke into a smile — a most charming smile, as Madame obser

the letter, and placing it in her pocket; ‘

’ said Vandeloup, coolly; ‘

ns in favour of teaching people their business, and, besides,

d Mrs Villiers, doubtfully eyeing the slender figure of t

fortunately, I am now compelled by necessity to work, and though I should prefer to earn my bread in an eas

she asked quickly,

gue, ‘both my friend and myself are from

and thought, while Vandeloup looked at her k

observed, mentally; ‘my lines will fall

en could resist, and Madame, although steeled to a considerable extent by experience, was yet a woman. His com

ame?’ she asked

n Vand

e a gen

but said

adame, sharply tur

p and touch

me,’ interposed Vandeloup, ‘he

eration, while Archie looked startled, and Sel

h insinuated a doubt on the subject; ‘but it’s more likely the result of an accident, for he can hear though he cannot speak. H

Madame, shortly, angry with herself for s

cal smile. ‘I fancy it will be more a case of c

hile Archie murmu

hat?’ observed Mrs Vill

are strangers in a strange land, and it is hard to obtain employment. My companion Pierre can work in your m

replied Madame, shortly. ‘What do

ously. ‘Ye do need a figger man, as I tauld

g breath, and the

rk, and your companion can work in the mine. As to wages and all that, we

Madame,’ returned Va

, relaxing somewhat now that business wa

n he heard this invitation,

t Mrs Villiers in a friendly manner; ‘s

e loaf and a jug of beer. These she placed on the table, and then retired to her se

l, and ate and drank in such a savage manner that Madame was conscious of a ki

’ he muttered to himself; ‘he’s mair

nished; then filling a glass with beer, he held

h, Madame,’ he

hed stranger in the wilds of the Pactolus claim promised her a little excitement. It was true that every now and then, when she caught a glimpse from his

e shadow and once more relapsed into his former gloom, but Vand

though in his heart he wished to stay in this pleasant room

r friend can sleep in the men’s quarters to-night, and to-morrow

thing indistinctly, and

back in her chair, and regarding him f

eo, and was coming down to Australia, when our vessel was wrecked and all on board were drowned but myself and this fellow,’ pointing to Pierre, ‘who was one of the sailors. We managed to get a boat, and after tossing about for nearly a week we were cast up on

experience of her husband had inspired her with an instinctive distrust of men. Vandeloup, however, bore her scrutin

to whom you can write?’

e, but it takes time to get an answer, and as I have lost all my books, papers, and money, I mu

onsul —’ began

nd, unluckily, he can neither read nor write. I have no papers to prove myself, so my consul may think me — what you call — a scamp.

tly, ‘is a good schoolmaster, b

ok, ‘you know Heine, I perceive, Madame

ose and held out her hand to the young man; ‘and now good night, for I am feeling ti

s lips with a sudden gesture. ‘Madame,’ he said, passionately, ‘

ie stared. Vandeloup, however, did not wait for her answer, but went out, followed by Pierre. Archie put on his hat

elina,’ she said, at length; ‘but as they w

come back after many days — buttered,’ sai

e lau

talks well,’

th a sniff, referring to Mr Vil

, coolly; ‘but you are going too fast. I’m

ina, undauntedly, for she had

e I succour a starving human being I am attracted by his handsome face? You ought to know me bette

put away her work, slapped the cat in order to re

with a poke. ‘He’s too smooth and handsome, his eye

went to boil some water for Mr McIntosh, who a

te of Vandeloup, and, logicall

ion have an instinct which warns

hese finely-organ

trary to her instin