Fan

ul; then, early on a Wednesday evening, once more Miss Starbrow made

ell me your nam

ces H

ame according to your account, and I must find you a different one.

m; it was Mar

t sounds better. Yes, that will do; your name, as long as yo

e had some doubts, and after a while sa

ou a new dress; easier in fact. And what do you know, Fan? What did they teach you

this unexpected call to display her accomplishm

arbrow

unning on without a single pause. Even a bee hovering about the flowers has an occasional comm

knowing that she could do better, and getting over her nervousness,

expressive voice, and you will do better when you read a book through from the beginning, and

re lessons, and grammar, and composition, and arithmetic, and geog

shilling in the pound for, to give education to a-well, never mind. But can

she said, taking the penci

thing yo

he was allowed to do so, they had not continued long. Still, even in a short time she had made some progress; and even after leaving school she had continued to fi

it will be," said Miss Starbrow, taking up a volume and beginning to read, or

ave eight or ten minutes to her drawing, and then

ying to live, Fan. You were certainly not fit for that hard rough work, and would have starved at it. You were made, body and mind, in a more delicate mould, and for something better. I think that with all you have learnt at school, and

m. They wouldn't look at me or speak to me even i

ttered a curiou

is sirloin-shelter from the weather and temptations to evil, three meals a day, a long pleasant life, husband and children, perhaps, and at last-Heaven. And without them, rags an

but I think I und

g, you will discover that you didn't even understand a little. Ah, Fan, you have been sadly cheated by destiny! Childhood witho

so happy!" exclaimed Fan, the

little and turned her fa

and sheltered you, Fan-does ha

t," with such keen distress that she

I took you because I believed that you would trust me, an

ause I thought-because-" and here she sunk her voice

round the girl's waist and

t pained my heart when I told you to clean my doorsteps as if you had been my sister. No, not a sister, but something better and swee

her mind and anxious. "It was that made me feel so

l; I think that I made no m

test delight. Miss Starbrow then put on an evening dress, which Fan now saw for the first time, and was filled with wonder at its richness and bea

a laugh, as she stood surveying herself in t

utiful in that dress! Are you

e me-all gentlemen. I have very few lady friends, and care very little for them

, ma

she paused, and finally came back and sat down

presence of others, or of the servants, call me Miss Starbrow. I don't

iss St

hear you call me Mary. That's my Christian name, and

om her lips trembl

d the other, and, drawing the girl clo

er, the arrival of visitors, and the sound of conversation and laughter from the drawing-room, and then music and singing. Later in the evening the

ked to a young clerical gentleman near him-the Rev. Octavius Brown. The Rev. Octavius was curate of a neighbouring ritualistic church, but in his life he was not ascetic; he loved whisky-and-water not wisely but too well, and he was passionately devoted to the noble game of Napoleon. Mr. Brown had just won seven shillings, and was in very high spirits; for being poor he had a great dread of losing, and played carefully for very small stakes, and seldom won more

few minutes before, came in, and standi

n Horton either doubts my veracity or believes that I am only jokin

ole story," she replied,

at I had once attended a dinner to the clergy in Yorkshire, at which there were sixteen of us present,

at were t

only one-a Mr. Church,

Mr. Bishop, and a Mr. Priest, and a

id Captain Horton, checkin

nd-of course, I can't remember all the nam

ly named seven. If you can remember

There was a

've had that already

ntinued, and fell

tarbrow. "Cheer up, Mr. Brown,

roke in Mr. Chance, "only I can't make o

er two

s very bad for you,

nd let me see if I can remember how that was," said the poor cur

you sixteen fellows had been Catholic priests instead of in the E

are going too far, Captain Horton. I like a little innocent fun well e

ting about sacred matters, I always understood that one couldn't prove his

" said the curate, getting up from his chair very careful

it," interrupt

nion at least. You know that I have taken in a young girl, and I have not yet decided what to do with her. I shall call her

o the neighbourhood of the three gentlemen, and stood with eyes cast down, her

as keenly studying Fan's face, as he stood

on," he said, "all I can say is that

, firing up. "She is too young to feel your words, perhaps

ay she's a good girl-she looks it, but if you want me to say that s

lance at him, and then without

selected a more charming-looking girl. But your judgment is

and looked at Mr. Chance, still

walked over to the girl and touched her hand, which made her start a lit

into his face

I thought," said he,

aid Miss

mbols?" he returned. "I know so well

d, but I choose not to try," she rep

looks nervous and uncomfortable, and would

tarbrow, with a strange softening of her voice her friends were not accustomed to hear.

ook towards Mr. Chance, le

said Mr. Chance. "I concluded that it must be something under those l

telligent eyes-I noticed

oman: it is suitable for us, like a rough skin and-moustachios," with a glance at Captain Horton, and touching his own clean-shaven upper lip. "The

say it's all plain enough to some minds, but-well, Mr. Chance, you'll forgive me for say

ton, with a mocking smile. "But don't go ye

row, for a most delightful evening." And after shaking hands he made his way to the door, bestowin

Chance lit another cigarette; if the other was an idle man, he (Chance)

tive way, "I am inclined to think t

two appear to be taking it very quietly," she said.

at the door with their hostess, and walked down the street tog

ion, in a tone sharp as a whip-crack,

he first, Chance"; and pulling out a florin he sent it spi

urself, and I'l

play," insiste

ll then,

he cried to the driver, jumping in. And the cabman, who had watched the proceedings with the deep interest and approval of

orner, evidently pondering some matter of considerable import to him. "By heaven, I'm more than half re

fears his f

eserts a

ot put it t

or lose

he peered anxiously at windows and doors, and presently caught sight of a faint reflection from burning gas

hy he has made some progress here. Well then, she ought to appreciate my spirit in coming to her at this time of night, or morning, rather. There's a wild, primitive strain in her; she's not to be wooed and won in the usual silly mawkish way. More like one of the old Sabine women, who like

ing the knocker and demanding admittance with thunderous racket, he went cautiously up the steps, ra

ng a Globe, left by one of her visitors, she took it up to glance at the evening's news. Something she found in the paper interested her, and she continued reading until that subdued knocking attracted her attention. Taking u

he hall. "Why have you come back?" she demanded in som

the moment, I came back to say something to you. A very unusual-very eccentric thing to do, no doubt. But when something involving

refore unable to agree with you. I hope you are

u not let me come inside to sa

anters, tumblers, and cards scattered about the table, seen by the dim light of one candle, gave it a somewhat

smile, "since you compel me to put my request in very plain blunt language. However, that is per

telegraphed," she interrupted,

You must know, dear Miss Starbrow, that I have admired you for a long time. Perhaps

your wife and make you happ

at this hour. I must suffer the consequences of my mistake, and study to be more cautious and proper in the future. I have always regarded you as an unconventional woman. Th

half-past one o'clock in the morning to offer me your hand! Your opinion of my conduct is not a subject I am the least interested in; but

t moment will not last. You have too much generosity, too much intellect, to allow it to rest long in your bosom; and deeply as I feel this rebuff, I am not going to be so weak as to let it darken and spoil my whole life. No, my hope is too strong and too reasonable

lips and a curious critical expression in her eyes. When he finished speaking she laughed and said

shall not despise me. Single or married, you must make your own happiness or misery. You

eally mean to come again and again I shall not object-it will amuse me. Only do not come at two o'clock in the morning; it might compromise me, and, unconventional as I am, I should not forgive you a second time. But honestly, Mr. Chance, I don't believe you will come again. You

ose after him, he walked away towards Westbourne Grove. He had gone from her presence with a smile on his lips, but in the street it quic

nable to think of any other expression more suitable to the occasio

y stopped, and turning towards Dawson Place, he