"Yes, sir, she is pawning her things, and she is a lady; and it's because I've reason to know that she may have to pawn something else either to-day or to-morrow that I've mentioned her to you at all; because when she's pawned all she's got what will she do?" "Do you want me to lend her some money? or to give her some?" Mr. Gibb smiled. "When you've seen her, sir, you won't need to ask me that. Then you'll see her to-morrow morning?" "Now don't you go putting any false hopes in her head, you'll only be doing her a disservice if you do; nothing will come of my seeing her, I'm only doing it to oblige you; let that be clearly understood." "Yes, sir; thank you very much." When Mr. Gibb got home he rushed straight up to Miss Lindsay, who was commencing the nondescript apology for a meal which served her as tea and supper. "Miss Lindsay, I believe I've found you something which may lead to something." "Oh, Eustace! have you? what is it?" "It's my chief." Mr. Gibb never would refer to him as "governor," as other clerks did; he thought it vulgar. "It's Mr. Hooper!" "Mr. Hooper?" "I happened to mention to him to-day that you were looking out for a secretaryship, and he said would you call round and see him to-morrow morning." "Oh, Eustace! how shall I ever thank you? Is it for himself he wants a secretary?" "That I can't say; but if you'll take my advice you'll call and see him." "Of course I'll call and see him; I'm--I'm all trembling! as if I wouldn't call and see him! Do you think I've any chance?" "That also I can't say; but if you'll allow me to give you what I should describe as a hint----" "Please do! What is it? You are so clever!" "If I were you I should put on your prettiest frock, and your prettiest hat, and the prettiest everything you've got." "Eustace! Why?" Mr. Gibb put his hand up to his mouth, and coughed discreetly. "Fact is, Mr. Hooper's more of an eye for female beauty than he thinks, and if you come to him looking as I've seen you look, you'll knock him." "Knock him?" Mr. Gibb was apologetic. "It's not often that I do use words of that kind, but, asking your pardon, this time I mean it." "But--I don't understand what you do mean. You can't mean that Mr. Hooper would engage me as his secretary merely because I happened to be wearing my prettiest frock?" "I don't say anything of the kind; not at all. I don't know that he wants a secretary; I only know he told me to ask you to call. You want to make a good impression when you do call, don't you?" "Of course I do." "Exactly; of course you do! What I say is don't leave anything undone which will help you to make a good impression; and that's all I do say." When Mr. Gibb went Nora was left blushing, trembling, excited, and slightly bewildered; she continued her meal without having any clear idea of what it was that she was eating. "That's a queer boy," she said to herself, more than once.