"When I meet her here, she seems very different to me--almost cold at times," said Mattie. "Only her way, Mattie," explained the father, "she's very different to all, now. She was more like herself after Mr. Hinchford called--Lor'! that roused her for a day or two beautifully. It was quite a treat to see her out of temper all the next day--flouting like!" Mattie waited till half-past eight, and then took her leave, thinking that she would go home by the church-way and meet Harriet. But Harriet had gone round by the main thoroughfare, having a call to make, and so the old companions missed each other. Mattie scarcely knew what she should have said to Harriet on meeting her, save the usual commonplace remarks; she fancied that she might have told her story of Sidney's proposal, and watched the effect--might have looked her sternly in the face, and asked if it were all true that Maurice Hinchford had asserted. It depended upon circumstances what she would have confessed or asserted; after all, did it matter what were Harriet Wesden's feelings, if Sidney had ceased to love Harriet and turned to Mattie Gray? But Sidney was blind _then_, and his heart, ever full of gratitude, had deceived him. Perhaps he _had_ read her secret by some means, and taken pity on her. _Pity!_--and she had told him that she scorned it! Well, true or false, right or wrong, she must wait a few days longer--for better, for worse, there was no keeping that truth back, unless it died with Sidney. Mattie made the best of it, as usual. Hers was a mind of uncommon strength, although her slight figure and gentle face suggested to an observer the very reverse of a "strong-minded woman." The next day, she was the Mattie that deceived even her father, who had been alarmed at her yester-night. She had got over her headache, she said; she could talk of business-matters, and of going to the warehouse for fresh stock, of the customers on "the books," and of the customers--a few of them by the laws of business--who were never likely to get off them. In the morning, too, came an immense order, that staggered Mr. Gray--an order for stationery, pens, ink, and paper, &c., from Hinchford and Son, bankers. "They've given their relation a turn--I don't think Sid would like it much," said Mr. Gray. Mattie affected an interest in these new customers, and Mr. Gray, who admired large orders, though he was not a worldly man, trotted about the shop and rubbed his hands. The first customer who entered, and told him that it was a fine day, was assured that "Yes it was. A fine order, a very fine order indeed!"