He was still in a brown study, when the shuffling feet of Mrs. Wesden, being assisted up-stairs by her husband to the top back room, disturbed him for an instant; then the rustle of a dress, and the light footfall of the daughter, assured him of Harriet's retirement. All was still in that crowded house which he had wished to exchange a year ago for a house in the suburbs, suitable to the united salaries of himself and boy. He thought of that wish, and sighed to think it had not been carried out, for, after all, he was not quite satisfied with the turn affairs had taken. The door opened suddenly and startled his nerves. He turned a scared face towards the intruder, who jumped a little at the sight of him sitting before the grate, black, yawning and uninviting at that hour. "I thought you had gone, Mr. Hinchford," said Mattie; "I came for the supper tray and to tidy up a bit here, and save time in the morning." "How's Ann?" he asked absently. "Better, I think," replied Mattie, still standing at the door. "You can clear away--I'm going in a minute. How's the evening school, girl?" "Why, I have left it this twelvemonth!" "To be sure--I had forgotten that you had learned all that they could teach you, and had become too much of a woman. Why, we shall hear of you being married next." "Who's going to be married _now--Mr. Sidney_?" "Confound you! how sharp you are," said Mr. Hinchford a little dismayed; "no, I never said so--mind I never said a word, so don't let us have any ridiculous tattling." "I never tattle," said Mattie in an offended tone. "Oh! Mr. Hinchford," she added suddenly, "you can always trust _me_ with anything." "I hope so, Mattie--I hope so." "And if Mr. Sidney thinks of marrying our Harriet, you may trust me not to let the people round here know a word about it. Not a word, sir!" she repeated, with pursed lips. Mr. Hinchford ran his hands through his hair, and loosened his stock again. He was confused, he had betrayed his hand, and made a mess of it, or else Mattie knew more than he gave her credit for, it was doubtful which. "Mattie," he said, after a while, when that young woman, rapid in her movements, had packed the tray and was proceeding to retire with it. "Yes, sir." She left the table and came nearer to him. "Whatever made you think that my dear boy was likely to--to take a fancy to Harriet?" "I've noticed that he talks to her a good deal, and comes into the back parlour a great deal, and brightens up when she speaks to him, and you can see his eyes dancing away behind the little spectacles he's taken to--and very becoming they are, sir." "Very," asserted the old gentleman. "And he's always dull when she's out, and fidgets till he knows where she has gone, and tries to make me tell; and so I've fancied, oh! ever so long, that Harriet and he would make a match of it some day." He was amazed at this girl ascertaining the truth before himself, but he retained his cool demeanour.