Mattie wondered what he was staying for; was even still a little nervous that he had something more to communicate concerning Sidney. But he continued talking in this new desultory way, and remained on his perch there, observant of customers, the goods they purchased, and the remarks they made, and showing no inclination to depart. He rendered Mattie fidgety after a while, for he was in a fidgety humour himself, and tilted his chair backwards and forwards, and examined everything minutely on the counter, dropping an article or two on the floor, and endeavouring to pick it up with his varnished boots, _à la_ Miss Biffin. "Does this business answer, Miss?" he asked at last. "It is improving--I think it will answer." "Rather slow for old Sid, it must have been." "We did our best to make him happy here, sir; I think that we succeeded." "My dear Miss Gray, I do not doubt _that_, for an instant!" Maurice hastened to apologize; "more than that, Sidney has told me the same himself. But _was_ he happy?" "Have you any reason to think otherwise?" was Mattie's quick, almost suspicious question. "Scarcely a reason, perhaps. Still _I_ don't think that he was happy." "I am sorry to hear you say so, Mr. Hinchford." "He tried to feel as happy as you wished to make him, but I think he failed. Under the circumstances, heavily afflicted as he was, you must own that that was natural." "I own that." "But his mind was never at ease--there was much to perplex it. Now, Miss Gray," leaning over the counter very earnestly, "let me ask you if you honestly believe that he has given up every thought of making Harriet Wesden his wife?" "Every thought of it, I think he has." "You and he have been like brother and sister together, and the truth must have escaped him," said Maurice, doubtfully; "or you are less quick-witted than somehow I have given you credit for. You would promote his true happiness, Miss Gray, by every means in your power, I am sure?" "Yes," answered Mattie. "Then you and I acting together, might bring about that match between them yet." "You and I acting together for that purpose!" Mattie ejaculated. She clutched the counter with her nervous fingers, and regarded Maurice Hinchford attentively; she was no longer doubtful of that man's visit to her; he had come to steal her Sidney away--to teach her, by his indirect assertions, that it was better to resign her thoughts of happiness rather than mar his cousin's. "There only requires one fair meeting between them--one candid explanation of what was false, and what was true--to show each to the other in a better light. That is my object in life now--I have done harm to those two--I will do good if I can!" "You speak as though you were certain of the success of Dr. Bario's remedies." "I am perfectly certain, Miss Gray! Dr. Bario is certain too--although he speaks of the risk, and of the hundredth chance against him, rather than of the ninety and nine in his favour. That's his way."