He had risen to his feet with wild eyes, and was listening, with a terrible expression of fear in his face, to the sound of loud voices in the street. The speakers had stopped outside the house, and Alfred crept softly to the window. They passed away presently, and Alfred, with a sigh of relief, returned to Lizzie's side. "What's the meaning of this, Alf?" she asked, with a fainting heart. "I have a right to know. Tell me." "Not now," he replied, taking her cold hand and placing it on his forehead. "I dare not. If you love me, don't ask me questions. I have been foolish, and have not taken care of myself. It will be all right after next Tuesday, and we'll be happy again as we used to be. Come," he cried, with an attempt at gaiety, facing her with his hands on her shoulders, "if you want to do me good, wish me luck next Tuesday." "I wish you luck, dear, with all my heart." "That's right, Liz; and when you go to bed, pray that I may be lucky, my dear. For if I am, all this trouble will be over, and we'll commence a happy life--you, and I, and Lily. And we'll tell our secret then--our own secret, dearest, that no one knows but you and me." He drew her towards him, and she laid her head upon his shoulder. Something in his words made him the consoler now. "It will have to be told soon, Alf dear, or it will tell itself," she said, in a tone in which joy and pain were subtly mingled. "I know it, darling; and I've been working, and trying to get money for you and me and Lil, and bad fortune has pursued me so steadily that I have been driven almost mad. Ah, Liz, I love you! You'll see how I love you when all this trouble comes to an end. And it _will_ come to an end now that you've wished me luck, and will pray for it." She pressed him in her arms, grateful for his calmer and tenderer mood. "May I say something to you, dear?" she asked. "Anything, darling; kiss me first." She kissed him, and he said softly. "What a pity it is that time will not stand still, isn't it, Liz? Now, if we could be like this for a long, long time, what happiness it would be! I almost feel as if I should like to die now, with you in my arms. What is it you want to say, darling?" "Something about Lily." "Dear Lily! Go on." "Have you noticed that Mr. Sheldrake has been paying her a great deal of attention?" "I think he likes her, Liz." "You think! You know, you mean. But, Alf, if I had a sister that I loved as you love Lily, and who loved me as Lily loves you, I would rather see her in her grave than see her placed as Lily is now." "Lizzie!" "I mean what I say, Alf, and you ought to have seen it more clearly before. Do you believe that Mr. Sheldrake has any honourable intentions in his open admiration for Lily?" "If I thought otherwise----" cried Alfred hotly.