He went to bed, somewhat distressed at the behaviour of Miss Talbot, for he had a weakness for being on good terms with everybody. But he resolved to have it out with her next morning; and so fell asleep and dreamed of the strange man who had watched him at the theatre. He rose next morning at the usual time. But his breakfast was delayed half an hour; and when it came, the maid waited upon him, and not her mistress, as usual. When he had finished, and she returned to take away the ruins, he asked her to say to her mistress that he wanted to speak to her. She brought back a message, which she delivered with some difficulty, and evidently under compulsion—that if Mr. Sutherland wanted to speak to her, he would find her in the back parlour. Hugh went down instantly, and found Miss Talbot in a doubly frozen condition, her face absolutely blue with physical and mental cold combined. She waited for him to speak. Hugh began: “Miss Talbot, it seems something is wrong between you and me.” “Yes, Mr. Sutherland.” “Is it because I was rather late last night.” “Rather late, Mr. Sutherland?” Miss Talbot showed no excitement. With her, the thermometer, in place of rising under the influence of irritation, steadily sank. “I cannot make myself a prisoner on parole, you know, Miss Talbot. You must leave me my liberty.” “Oh, yes, Mr. Sutherland. Take your liberty. You’ll go the way of all the rest. It’s no use trying to save any of you.” “But I’m not aware that I am in any particular want of saving, Miss Talbot.” “There it is!—Well, till a sinner is called and awakened, of course it’s no use. So I’ll just do the best I can for you. Who can tell when the Spirit may be poured from on high? But it’s very sad to me, Mr. Sutherland, to see an amiable young man like you going the way of transgressors, which is hard. I am sorry for you, Mr. Sutherland.” Though the ice was not gone yet, it had begun to melt under the influences of Hugh’s good-temper, and Miss Talbot’s sympathy with his threatening fate. Conscience, too, had something to do with the change; for, much as one of her temperament must have disliked making such a confession, she ended by adding, after a pause: “And very sorry, Mr. Sutherland, that I showed you any bad temper last night.” Poor Miss Talbot! Hugh saw that she was genuinely troubled about him, and resolved to offend but seldom, while he was under her roof. “Perhaps, when you know me longer, you will find I am steadier than you think.” “Well, it may be. But steadiness won’t make a Christian of you.”