"Oh! it is you, is it?" said the lady. "The girl told me some one
was waiting."
Hot and swift ran the colour to my adored one's cheeks.
"Aunt," she observed, "I think you forget this gentleman comes from
Mr. Craven."
"Oh, no! my dear, I don't forget Mr. Craven, or his clerks either,"
responded Miss Blake, as, still cloaked and bonneted, she tore open Mr.
Craven's envelope.
"I am to take back an answer, I think," said I.
"You are, I see," she answered. "He's getting mighty particular, is
William Craven. I suppose he thinks I am going to cheat him out of his
paltry ten pounds. Ten pounds, indeed! and what is that, I should like
to know, to us in our present straits! Why, I had more than twice ten
yesterday from a man on whom we have no claim--none whatever--who,
without asking, offered it in our need."
"Aunt," said Miss Elmsdale, warningly.
"If you will kindly give me your acknowledgment, Miss Blake, I should
like to be getting back to Buckingham Street," I said. "Mr. Craven will
wonder at my absence."
"Not a bit of it," retorted Miss Blake. "You and Mr. Craven understand
each other, or I am very much mistaken; but here is the receipt, and
good day to you."
I should have merely bowed my farewell, but that Miss Elmsdale stood up
valiantly.
"Good-bye, Mr. Patterson," she said, holding out her dainty hand, and
letting it lie in mine while she spoke. "I am very much obliged to you.
I can never forget what you have done and dared in our interests."
And I went out of the room, and descended the stairs, and opened the
front door, she looking graciously over the balusters the while, happy,
ay, and more than happy.
What would I not have done and dared at that moment for Helena Elmsdale?
Ah! ye lovers, answer!