"My name is Blair--Miss Rosa Blair," said the dwarf. "I am a rose, but I happened to bloom outside the pale." She laughed gayly, but Maria's eyes upon her were pitiful. "You are also outside the pale in some way," said Miss Blair. "I always know such people when I meet them. There is an affinity between them and myself. The moment I saw you I said to myself: she also is outside the pale, she also has escaped from the garden of life. Well, never mind, child; it is not so very bad outside when one becomes accustomed to it. I am. Perhaps you have not had time; but you will have. What is the matter?" "I am running away," replied Maria then. "Running away! From what?" "It is better for me to be away," said Maria, evading the question. "It would be better if I were dead." "But you are not," said the dwarf, with a quick movement almost of alarm. "No," said Maria; "and I see no reason why I shall not live to be an old woman." "I don't either," said Miss Blair. "You look healthy. You say, better if you were dead--better for whom, yourself or others?" "Others." "Oh!" said Miss Blair. She remained quietly regardful of Maria for a little while, then she spoke again. "Where are you going when you reach New York?" she asked. "I was going out to Edgham, but I shall miss the last train, and I shall have to go to a hotel," replied Maria, and she looked at the dwarf with an expression of almost childish terror. "Don't you know that it may be difficult for a young girl alone? Have you any baggage?" Maria looked at her little satchel, which she had left beside her former chair. "Is that all?" asked Miss Blair. "Yes." "You must certainly not think of trying to go to a hotel at this time of night," said the dwarf. "You must go home with me. I am entirely safe. Even your mother would trust you with me, if you have one." "I have not, nor father, either," replied Maria. "But I am not afraid to trust you for myself." A pleased expression transfigured Miss Blair's face. "You do not distrust me and you do not shrink from me?" she said. "No," replied Maria, looking at her with indescribable gratitude. "Then it is settled," said the dwarf. "You will come home with me. I expect my carriage when we arrive at the station. You will be entirely safe. You need not look as frightened as you did a few moments ago again. Come home with me to-night; then we will see what can be done." Miss Blair turned her face towards the window. Her big chair almost swallowed her tiny figure, the sardonic expression had entirely left her face, which appeared at once noble and loving. Maria gazed at her as she sat so, with an odd, inverted admiration. It seemed extraordinary to her she should actually admire any one like this deformed little creature, but admire her she did. It was as if she suddenly had become possessed of a sixth sense for an enormity of beauty beyond the usual standards.