He had concluded his prayer, but still remained with his head buried in his hands, when a rustling noise aroused him. “What’s that!” he cried, starting up, and catching sight of a figure standing by the door. “Who’s there?” “Me—only me,” replied a tremulous voice. Oliver raised the candle above his head, and looked towards the door. It was Nancy. “Put down the light,” said the girl, turning away her head; “it hurts my eyes.” Oliver saw that she was very pale, and gently inquired if she were ill. The girl threw herself into a chair, with her back towards him, and wrung her hands; but made no reply. “God forgive me!” she cried after a while, “I never thought of all this.” “Has anything happened?” asked Oliver, “Can I help you? I will if I can; I will, indeed.” She rocked herself to and fro, caught her throat, and, uttering a gurgling sound, struggled and gasped for breath. “Nancy!” cried Oliver, greatly alarmed, “What is it?” The girl beat her hands upon her knees, and her feet upon the ground, and, suddenly stopping, drew her shawl close round her, and shivered with cold. Oliver stirred the fire. Drawing her chair close to it, she sat there for a little time without speaking, but at length she raised her head, and looked round. “I don’t know what comes over me sometimes,” said the girl, affecting to busy herself in arranging her dress; “it’s this damp, dirty room, I think. Now, Nolly, dear, are you ready?” “Am I to go with you?” asked Oliver. “Yes; I have come from Bill,” replied the girl. “You are to go with me.” “What for?” said Oliver, recoiling. “What for!” echoed the girl, raising her eyes, and averting them again the moment they encountered the boy’s face. “Oh! for no harm.” “I don’t believe it,” said Oliver, who had watched her closely. “Have it your own way,” rejoined the girl, affecting to laugh. “For no good, then.” Oliver could see that he had some power over the girl’s better feelings, and for an instant thought of appealing to her compassion on his helpless state. But then the thought darted across his mind that it was barely eleven o’clock, and that many people were still in the streets, of whom surely some might be found to give credence to his tale. As the reflection occurred to him, he stepped forward, and said somewhat hastily that he was ready. Neither his brief consideration nor its purport were lost upon his companion. She eyed him narrowly while he spoke, and cast upon him a look of intelligence which sufficiently shewed that she guessed what had been passing in his thoughts. “Hush!” said the girl, stooping over him, and pointing to the door as she looked cautiously round. “You can’t help yourself. I have tried hard for you, but all to no purpose. You are hedged round and round, and if ever you are to get loose from here, this is not the time.”