Graves, who saw the hesitation, now said: "Yes, Miss Griselda, her ladyship is in no mood to see a stranger. You had best bid the gentleman good-day, and come in." "It may be it is best," Griselda said. "So good-bye--good-bye till to-morrow." "Unless we meet in the Assembly Room," Leslie said, holding her hand; and bending over it, he pressed it to his lips again and again, as if he could not give it up. She drew it gently away, and then ran with a light step to her own room. Graves followed her. "What does it mean, my dear?" she asked. "It means that I am no longer alone in the wide, cold world. Oh, be glad for me, Graves, be glad! I am to be the wife of a good man--Mr. Leslie Travers." "Good! Well, there is none good--no, not one! He may be better in the eye of _man_ than the rest, but _good_!--he may be a _moral_ man." "He is everything that is noble and good! Oh, Graves, I am so happy!" "Poor child!--poor child!" the faithful woman said, as she smoothed the bow on the wide hat before putting it away--"poor child! Well, you'll need a protector. There's a great to-do in the dining-parlour. I heard your name again and again; and her ladyship and that man who is so often here--worse luck--were making free with it, I can tell you. There! that's her bell--ring-ring-ring! And here comes David." David was the man-servant, and tapped sharply at the door. "Mistress Graves, are you here? Is Miss Mainwaring here? She is wanted by her ladyship in the sitting-room--_now_," he added--"this instant. Do ye hear?" "Yes, I am not deaf," was Graves' retort; "so you needn't make a noise like so many penny trumpets. You had better change your dress, my dear. Here is your blue skirt and flowered-chintz gown--and your hair is all falling down. Come!" Griselda was putting away the money she had received for her jewels, and then submitted to Graves' hands, as she changed her morning-gown for a pretty toilette of chintz and under-skirt of blue brocade. "I must be quick, or she will ring again," Graves said. "There! I thought so"--for again the querulous bell sounded, and hurrying feet were heard on the stairs. "Her ladyship is in a regular passion," David said, through the door. "You'll repent it, Graves, as sure as you are alive." "Hold your tongue, and be off," was the reply; "I can take care of myself, by your leave!" David grumbled a reply, and again departed. In other times, Griselda would have shown some sign of desire to avert the storm of Lady Betty's anger; but to-day she went through her toilette without any undue haste. "Graves," she said, "I want you to go to Crown Alley for me, and see a poor, man who is dying, and take him some comforts. Surely there are plenty of wasted luxuries that might be of use to him! And, Graves, he has a dear little girl--such a clever child!--and as lovely as an angel, though half-starved. Graves, will you take some of that mock-turtle soup and a bottle of wine before night to No. 6, Crown Alley?"