“Oh yes, I am,” she answered promptly, now opening the bundle, and shaking out a dress that she had pawned, and regarding it with an expression that showed it was an old and favourite friend. “Here is an A B C guide. I go to-night when I have left you comfortable, and baby asleep. Mrs. Kane’s niece has promised to look after you to-morrow, and to-morrow night I return, all being well.” “Then they gave you a good price for the miniature and the medals.” “Price!” she echoed indignantly. “They turned the miniature over and over, and sneered at it, and said they had no sale for such like; but they could not say that it wasn’t real gold and pearls, and they gave me eighteen shillings, and said it was more than it was worth, and ten shillings on the medals. Medals are a drug in the market.” “Then how--where did you get money for your journey?” asked her husband, in a tone of amazement bordering on impatience. “See here!” holding up both her bare hands. Very pretty hands they were, but now a little coarse from hard work. “Do you miss anything, Laurence?” colouring guiltily. “Yes, your--wedding-ring--and keeper,” after a moment’s pause--a pause of incredulity. “You won’t be angry with me, dear, will you?” she said coaxingly, coming and kneeling beside him. “It makes no real difference, does it? Please--please don’t be vexed; but I got a sovereign on them, and they are the first things I shall redeem. You must have nourishing food, even if I had to steal it; and I would steal for you!” she added, passionately. “I shall only take a single ticket--third class. Mrs. Harper will surely lend me a few pounds, and I will be able to leave ten shillings for you to go on with.” “How can I be angry with you, Maddie?” he replied. “It is all my fault--the fault of my rashness, thoughtlessness, selfishness--that you have had to do this, my poor child! Oh, that snowy night was a bad one for you! I ought to have left you, and walked back.” “Such nonsense!” cried his wife, whose spirits were rising. “I won’t hear you say such things! It’s a long lane that has no turning. I think--oh, I believe and pray--that I do see the end of ours! And now there is a nice roast chicken for your dinner. I left it with Mrs. Kane downstairs. She asked me if I had come in for a fortune? A fortune, indeed! It was only three and three-pence, but I told her that I believed that I _had_. Oh dear, oh dear, I hope my words will come true!” * * * * * Madeline’s packing was represented by changing her dress; her preparations were confined to brushing, rubbing, and inking her hat, mending her gloves, which, like the typical landlady, “had seen better days,” and to washing and getting up a pair of cuffs with her own hands. “You look quite smart, Maddie,” said Laurence, as she completed her toilet, and came and showed herself to him. “Yes; I don’t look so very, _very_ poor, do I?”