“You are very welcome to your papers,” said Edgar. “I have written to Mr. Arden, to ask him to see me, but that is not on your account. I will give you, if you please, everything back.” This did not content the impatient sufferer. “Oh! I don’t want them back,” she said, pettishly--“I want you to push on--to push on! I’m tired of this life--I should like to try what a change would do. If he does not choose to take me home, he might take me to Italy, or somewhere out of these east winds. I’ve got copies all ready directed to send to his lawyers, in case you should play me false, or delay. I’m not going to die, don’t you think it; but now I’ve made up my mind to it, I’ll have my rights!” “I hope you will take care of yourself in the meantime,” said Edgar, compassionately, looking at her with a somewhat melancholy face. “Oh! get along with your doleful looks,” said Miss Lockwood, “trying to frighten me, like all the rest. I want a change--that’s what I want--change of air and scene. I want to go to Italy or somewhere. Push on--push on, and get it settled. I don’t want your sympathy--_that’s_ what I want of you.” Edgar heard her cough echo after him as he went along the long narrow passage, where he had met Gussy, back to Mr. Tottenham’s room. His patron called him from within as he was passing by. “Earnshaw!” he cried, dropping his voice low, “I have not asked you yet--how did you get on, poor fellow, up at the Square?” “I don’t quite know,” said Edgar--“better than I hoped; but I must see Mr. Thornleigh, or write to him. Which will be the best?” “Look here,” said Mr. Tottenham, “I’ll do that for you. I know Thornleigh; he’s not a bad fellow at bottom, except when he’s worried. He sees when a thing’s no use. I daresay he’d make a stand, if there was any hope; but as you’re determined, and Gussy’s determined----” “We are,” said Edgar. “Don’t think I don’t grudge her as much as anyone can to poverty and namelessness; but since it is her choice----” “So did Mary,” said Mr. Tottenham, following out his own thoughts, with a comprehensible disregard of grammar. “They stood out as long as they could, but they had to give in at last; and so must everybody give in at last, if only you hold to it. That’s the secret--stick to it!--nothing can stand against that.” He wrung Edgar’s hand, and patted him on the back, by way of encouragement. “But don’t tell anyone I said so,” he added, nodding, with a humorous gleam out of his grey eyes.