"No, sir, to be sure not." "I wonder how much longer he will be; there's--there's nothing further to break to an old man by degrees, Mattie?" "Nothing further. I have a little news to tell you about myself, that I hope you'll be sorry to hear." Mr. Hinchford's face assumed that perplexed look to which it had become prone of late years. Still he was not likely to be very much troubled--it was only about Mattie! "I am going away from here," Mattie explained in a hurried manner; "Mr. Wesden will tell you the whole story, and it's not to my credit, looking at it in his light. You'll believe it, perhaps?" she added wistfully. "Mr. Wesden is not accustomed to exaggeration, Mattie; but I will not believe anything that is wrong of you." "I hope you will not, however proof may seem to go against me," was the sad remark; "he thinks I'm wrong, and I dare not explain part, and cannot explain the rest, and so I'm going away this morning. "This morning!" Mr. Hinchford took a good haul of his stock at this. "He don't wish me to stop, and I would not if he did," said Mattie, proudly, "so we are both of one mind about my going. And now, sir," holding out both hands to him, "try and think the best of me--never mind the desk this morning, that was nothing, remember--_do_ think well of one who will never forget you, and all the kindness you have shown me since I have been here." "Mattie, let me go down, and see if I can't set all this straight," said the old gentleman, moved by Mattie's appeal. "It could not be done, sir," said Mattie in reply; "you're very kind, but I know how much better it is to go. Why, sir, I have a great hope that they'll think better of me when I am gone!" "But--but----" "And so good-bye, sir." The old gentleman shook both her hands, stooped suddenly and kissed her on the forehead. "I can't make it all out, but I'll believe the best, Mattie." "Thank you--thank you." The tears were blinding her, so she hastened to the door, pausing there to add-- "Tell Mr. Sidney--oh! tell him above all--to think of me, as I would think of him, whatever the world said and whoever was against him. Harriet will speak up for me when he has a doubt of my honesty, and he will believe her. Don't let my past life stand between you all and your better thoughts of me--good-bye." Mattie was gone; she had closed the door behind her, and shut in Mr. Hinchford, who forgot his breakfast for awhile in the sudden news that had been communicated. He was forgetful at times now; his memory, though he did not care to own it, would betray him when he least expected it. In the midst of his reverie, a flash of a new recollection took away his breath, and brought his hand again to his inflexible stock. "Good heaven!--not that letter, I hope."