"Yes," replied Septimus; "but I really do not know to whom I am talking." "O dear, O dear!" sobbed the woman, "it's me; you know me, that you called on in Chiswell-street; and I can't take up my fall, for my poor eyes are so red with crying, and people would see. Registry--office for servants, you know; and O dear, O dear!" and she sobbed more loudly than ever. "Indeed, I beg your pardon," said Septimus kindly; "but I could not know you through that thick veil." "Then you could not see that I had been crying?" sobbed the poor woman. "No, indeed," replied Septimus, "and--" "Don't speak to me yet," ejaculated Miss Tollicks; "I'm almost heart-broken, and you set me off saying those cruel words. I'd give anything for a place where I could sit down and have a good cry, if it was only a doorstep, where people could not see me. I'm nearly blind now, and can't tell which way to go. It's ever so much worse than any trouble I ever had with my business." "Take my arm," said Septimus gently, after an apologetic glance at his shabby clothes. "Lean upon me, and we'll walk slowly down this street. It is quieter here, and you will feel relieved soon." "O, thank you, thank you," exclaimed Miss Tollicks, taking the proffered arm, and still sobbing loudly; "but you are sure that people cannot see I have been crying?" "Certain," said Septimus as they walked on. "And so you think," said Miss Tollicks, "that they are neglected and die, do you, Mr Hardon? and I'm afraid the poor things are. I've just been to see my poor sister that the doctor recommended to go in, and she's been telling me such dreadful tales about the nurses; and I can't tell whether it's the truth, or whether the poor thing is only light-headed. It was horrible to listen to her, that it was; and you've been to see some one too, Mr Harding?" "Yes," replied Septimus, "the poor old gentleman who was with me when I called upon you." "Dear, dear, dear, what a sorrowful world this is!" sobbed Miss Tollicks; "nothing but trouble, always trouble; and how is he, poor man?" "Not long for this world, I fear," said Septimus softly. "And did he say anything about the nurses too?" sobbed Miss Tollicks. "Yes, yes," said Septimus hastily; "but it can't be true. No woman could be such a wretch."