Ruth stooped down and kissed the poor trembling little one, and tried to put her at her ease. All was so new and strange to her, and the excitement of the last two hours had been so great, that Gertie was quite unnerved. She attempted to speak, and then the pent-up emotion found an outlet. Sobbing hysterically, she fell on her knees and asked Ruth to protect her. Ruth was deeply moved herself; the genuine grief of the child and her quick sobs told her that Gertie had gone through much that evening. ‘There, there, don’t be afraid, Gertie,’ she said, wiping away the little one’s tears and patting Lion’s head gently. ‘Lion and I will take care of you, won’t we, Lion?’ For the moment, in her sympathy with the child, she had forgotten herself; but it was only for a moment. Looking round nervously at the half-open sitting-room door, she whispered to the child, ‘Have you heard anything about _him?_ ‘Yes, miss, I have.’ Between her sobs, and in a low voice, Gertie told her little story, never stopping till she had explained how her grandfather had threatened her life, and how she would never dare to go back again. The child felt, even as she spoke, that she was playing the traitor—that she was revealing a secret which might bring harm to him who had brought her up and fed her, and who was the only relative she had in the world. She was shrewd enough to see all this, and when her tale was done she looked up beseechingly in the face of her protectress. ‘I’ve done this for your sake, miss,’ she said; ‘but you won’t let any harm come to grandfather through what I’ve told you, will you?’ ‘No, Gertie, I won’t; I promise you. And now you must come in and speak to my father and mother, and we must see what ean be done with you. Come along; don’t be frightened.’ Ruth took her by the hand. ‘Please may Lion come too?’ asked Gertie, laying her hand on the dog’s head, as though loth to leave him for a minute. ‘Certainly, my dear! Come along, Lion.’ When Ruth entered the sitting-room, leading Gertie, and followed by the huge mastiff, Mrs. Adrian gave a little scream. ‘Good gracious, Ruth!’ she cried, ‘what will you bring into the house next?’ ‘Don’t be frightened, mother. Lion’s very gentle. Lie down, Lion! Gertie nodded to Lion, as much as to say he might obey Miss Adrian. At his little mistress’s signal he sank down on his haunches, and, with his ears up and his eyes open, waited for further orders. What he thought of the proceedings it is impossible to say; but he had evidently made up his mind that Gertie was among friends, for he didn’t even growl when Mrs. Adrian called him a ferocious-looking beast, and horrified Gertie by asking how many people he usually ate at a meal. With sundry reservations, Ruth told Gertie’s story for her, and then she begged that for the present, at least, she might be allowed to offer the child the shelter of their roof.