"No, I suppose she wouldn't. She'd believe in people marrying and doing everything in the ordinary way. But neither I nor this woman is in ordinary circumstances. Do you know of a justice?" "Yes, and you know him, too; Justice Harkins." "Why, certainly. He came from our town and I knew him when he was a boy, although I haven't seen much of him of late years." "Well, shall I go and say to this woman--Alida Armstrong is her name now, I suppose--that you wish to see her again?" "Yes, I shall tell her the truth. Then she can decide." Chapter XVIII. Holcroft Gives His Hand Alida was seated by a window with some of the mending in which she assisted, and, as usual, was apart by herself. Watterly entered the large apartment quietly, and at first she did not observe him. He had time to note that she was greatly dejected, and when she saw him she hastily wiped tears from her eyes. "You are a good deal cast down, Alida," he said, watching her closely. "I've reason to be. I don't see any light ahead at all." "Well, you know the old saying, 'It's darkest before day.' I want you to come with me again. I think I've found a chance for you." She rose with alacrity and followed. As soon as they were alone, he turned and looked her squarely in the face as he said gravely, "You have good common sense, haven't you?" "I don't know, sir," she faltered, perplexed and troubled by the question. "Well, you can understand this much, I suppose. As superintendent of this house I have a responsible position, which I could easily lose if I allowed myself to be mixed up with anything wrong or improper. To come right to the point, you don't know much about me and next to nothing of my friend Holcroft, but can't you see that even if I was a heartless, good-for-nothing fellow, it wouldn't be wise or safe for me to permit anything that wouldn't bear the light?" "I think you are an honest man, sir. It would be strange if I did not have confidence when you have judged me and treated me so kindly. But, Mr. Watterly, although helpless and friendless, I must try to do what I think is best. If I accepted Mr. Holcroft's position it might do him harm. You know how quick the world is to misjudge. It would seem to confirm everything that has been said against me," and the same painful flush again overspread her features. "Well, Alida, all that you have to do is to listen patiently to my friend. Whether you agree with his views or not, you will see that he is a good-hearted, honest man. I want to prepare you for this talk by assuring you that I've known him since he was a boy, that he has lived all his life in this region and is known by many others, and that I wouldn't dare let him ask you to do anything wrong, even if I was bad enough." "I'm sure, sir, you don't wish me any harm," she again faltered in deep perplexity.