For a minute or two after his friend’s departure Charles Peace stood gazing at the features of the young woman before him. She presented altogether such a different appearance to the girl he had known at Sheffield that he stood wonder-struck, thoughtful, and irresolute. “You’ve become such a fine London lady that it is not surprising I failed to recognise you when we first met,” he said, after a pause. “No, I’m a good deal changed, I’ve no doubt, although perhaps I do not see it myself; but you will remember, Charlie, that I was but a slip of a girl when we were in the habit of meeting.” Her companion nodded. “And I’ve gone through a good deal since then,” she said in continuation. “Ah, no doubt. What are you doing now, and where do you live?” “Not many minutes’ walk from here. See me home, and we can talk over old times.” See you home?” “Yes, I will show you where I live, and you will then be able to give me a call when you have an hour or two to spare.” The girl put her arm in his, and the two walked on together till they reached a street in close proximity to Regent Circus. She stopped at one of the houses in the street, and gave a gentle rap at the door, which was opened by a neat, modest-looking, maid servant. Laura Stanbridge conducted her visitor upstairs, when the two entered a large and elegantly furnished apartment on the first floor. “Now then,” she said, “make yourself at home, Charlie. We are no strangers to each other, and I’ve got a lot to say to you.” Peace sat down, while his companion went into an adjoining room to take off her bonnet and mantle. “She’s a mysterious party,” he murmured. What can she be up to now, I wonder? Seems to be in pretty good feather anyhow.” The girl returned, and sat herself down opposite to her male companion. “Well, in the first place you are surprised to see me, and in the next you are not able to reckon me up,” said she, laughing. “That’s it――isn’t it?” “Ah, as to that, Laura, I think most of us reckoned you up when you were at Sheffield; but what you are doing now, of course, I’m unable to say.” “I’m creeping――creeping along.” “We have not met for ever so long a time,” said the girl, “and now you have come I’m not going to part with you without first of all having a talk about old times.” “Umph!” muttered Peace; “you seem to be flourishing, my lady――everything very comfortable, and all that sort of thing, eh. I wonder how it’s done?” “What do you mean?” “Why, you’ve got a snug place, and seem to be doing it up pretty brown. Are you living here all alone?” “No. I have a friend, a female companion, who shares the expenses with me.” “Ah, that’s all right. I suppose a personal friend?” “Yes; we work together.” “What at, if it’s not an impertinent question?” The girl burst out in a merry mocking peal of laughter. “I see――I understand, the same old game, I suppose,” remarked Peace. She nodded.