"You are always on hand when I need you most," I said smilingly. "I think I will go back to my room now, while able to make a respectable retreat." I saw Mr. Hearn and Miss Warren entering the house, and thought that they had had a long afternoon together, but that time no doubt had passed more quickly with them than with me, even though I had slept for hours. When reaching the parlor door I saw Miss Warren at the piano; she turned so quickly as almost to give me the impression that she was waiting to intercept me. "Would you not like to hear your favorite nocturne again?" she asked, with a friendly smile. I hesitated, and half entered the parlor. Her face seemed to light up with pleasure at my compliance. How divine she appeared in the quaint, simple room! I felt that I would gladly give the best years of my life for the right to sit there and feast my eyes on a grace and beauty that to me were indescribable and irresistible; but the heavy tread of the banker in the adjoining room reminded me that I had no right--that to see her and to listen would soon become unendurable pain. I had twice been taught my weakness. "Thank you," I said, with a short, dry laugh; "I'm sorely tempted, but it's time I learned that for me discretion is certainly the better part of valor," and I turned away, but not too soon to see that her face grew sad and wistful. "Heaven bless her kind heart!" I murmured as I wearily climbed the stairs. Adah brought me up my supper long before the others were through, and I felt a faint remorse that I had feigned sleep in the afternoon, even though my motive had been consideration for her as truly as for myself. "Miss Adah!" I exclaimed, "you are growing much too unselfish. Why didn't you get your supper first?" "I've had all I wish. I'm not hungry to-night." "Truly, you look as if you lived on roses; but you can't thrive long on such unsubstantial diet. It was real good of you to read to those children so long. If I had been an artist, I would have made a sketch of you three. You and that little dark-eyed girl make a lovely contrast." "I like her," she said simply; "I feel as if I wanted some one to pet. Can't I read to you while you eat your supper?" "I'd rather have you talk to me: what do you think of the little girl's father?" "I haven't thought much about him." "I wish you could see his house in New York; it's a superb one, and on your favorite Fifth Avenue." "Yes, I know," she replied absently. "I should think you would envy Miss Warren." "I don't," she said emphatically; "the man is more than the house." "I don't think you would have said that a month ago." "I fear not. I fear thee didn't like me that Sunday afternoon when I was so self-satisfied. I've thought it over." "Indeed, Miss Adah, I would gladly be struck by lightning myself if it would change me for the better as greatly as you are changed." "It wasn't the lightning," she said, blushing and slowly shaking her head. "I've been thinking."