"May I have the honour of presenting you to my mother, Miss Mainwaring? I have promised to meet my guide to the house we were speaking of. I will return hither, mother; meantime, may I hope you and Miss Mainwaring will have some conversation which will be agreeable to both?" "I will await your return, Leslie. But do not exceed half an hour, for the dark streets are not pleasant, especially for old folk like me, who have to pick my way carefully. Have you been long a visitor to Bath, madam?" Mrs. Travers said, as she seated herself with Griselda on one of the benches. "We arrived in November, madam." "Have you a mother and sister?" "No, no!" Griselda said passionately. "I am alone in the world--an orphan." "Ah, may the God of the fatherless be your Friend. You will make Him your Friend, my dear? This is a place fraught with danger. I feel it for my son--and how much more is it full of danger for you?" "There are many beautiful things and interesting people in Bath. Do you know Mr. and Miss Herchel, madam?" "I know them by report," was the reply. "My son is a musician, and attends Mr. Herschel's classes." "It is not only music for which Mr. Herschel is famous. He is an astronomer, and reads the star-lit heavens like a book--a poem--a poem more wonderful than any written by earthly hands." Mrs. Travers was surprised. She did not expect a child of the world--a fashionable young lady--to speak so seriously on any subject. But it was her duty to improve the occasion, and she said: "I would rather read the Word of God than the star-lit skies, since the safety of the soul is surely a more important duty than to pry into the secret things of God." "But He stretched out the heavens. He raises our thoughts above by their contemplation." "Ah, my dear young lady, this is the vain tradition of men. Let me urge you to come to our chapel in the Vineyards on the next Sabbath, and hear the truth rightly divided by Mr. Relly. Do not be affronted at my boldness!" "Oh no! I am obliged to you for caring about me. I have so few who do so care." "I can scarcely believe it!" Mrs. Travers said. "So young and fair. Surely there are those who stand in the place of parents to you?" "No; I know of none such. But here comes my aunt, Lady Betty Longueville. She will desire me to return, as we are expected at a small party to-night at Lady Miller's." Sir Maxwell Danby, who had been watching his opportunity, now came forward: "If you have quite done with yonder Niobe, will you permit me to escort you to your chair? No? You are walking? That is better; I shall have more of your company. Let me place your hood over your head--so! What a wealth of loveliness it hides!" Griselda turned away impatiently; but as Lady Betty was in advance with Lord Basingstoke, she was obliged to follow them. Sir Maxwell made the best of his opportunity, and held Griselda's hand as it rested on his arm, though she drew back from such familiarity.