To this Mr Auberly replied that it was impossible to forgive the past, but he would do his best to forget it, and also to procure a situation for her son (though _certainly_ not in his own office), on one consideration, namely, that she, the widow, should forget the past also--including his own, Mr Auberly's, existence (as she had once before promised to do), and that she should never inform her son, or any other member of her family--if there happened to be any others members of it--of the relationship existing between them, nor apply to him by visit or by letter for any further favours. In the event of her agreeing to this arrangement, she might send her son to his residence in Beverly Square, on Thursday next, between eleven and twelve. Just as he concluded this letter a footman entered softly and laid a three-cornered note on the table. "Stay, Hopkins, I want you," said Mr Auberly, as he opened the note and ran his eye over it. Hopkins, who was clad in blue velvet and white stockings, stood like a mute beside his master's chair. He was very tall and very thin, and very red in the nose. "Is the young woman waiting, Hopkins?" "Yes, sir; she's in the lobby." "Send her up." In a few seconds Hopkins reopened the door, and looked down with majestic condescension on a smart young girl whom he ushered into the room. "That will do; you may go--stay, post this letter. Come here, young woman." The young woman, who was evidently a respectable servant-girl, approached with some timidity. "Your name is Matty Merryon, I understand (yes, sir), at least so your late mistress, Miss Tippet, informs me. Pray, what does Matty stand for?" "Martha, sir." "Well, Martha, Miss Tippet gives you a very good character--which is well, because I intend you to be servant to my child--her maid; but Miss Tippet qualifies her remarks by saying that you are a little careless in _some_ things. What things are you careless in?" "La! sir--" "You must not say `La!' my girl," interrupted Mr Auberly with a frown, "nor use exclamations of any kind in my presence; what are the `some things' referred to?" "Sure I don't know, sir," said the abashed Matty. "I s'pose there's a-many things I ain't very good at; but, please, sir, I don't mean to do nothin' wrong, sir, I don't indeed; an' I'll try to serve you well, sir, if it wor only to plaaze my missis, as I'm leavin' against my will, for I love my--" "There, that will do," said Mr Auberly somewhat sternly, as the girl appeared to be getting excited. "Ring that bell; now, go downstairs and Hopkins will introduce you to my housekeeper, who will explain your duties to you." Hopkins entered and solemnly marched Martha Merryon to the regions below. Mr Auberly locked away his papers, pulled out his watch, wound it up, and then, lighting a bedroom candle, proceeded with much gravity upstairs.