Mavis noticed the way in which he leered at her while he said these words. She bit her lip in order to restrain the words that were on her tongue; it was of no avail. "I'll tell you something," she cried. "Yes--yes; quickly, the train is just off." "If my father had been alive, and we'd been living here, you'd not have dared to speak to me like that; in fact, you wouldn't have had the chance." It was a crestfallen, tired, and heartsick Mavis who opened the door of Brandenburg College with her latch-key in the evening. The only thing that sustained her was the memory of the white look of anger which appeared in Lowther Devitt's face when she had unmistakably resented his insult. CHAPTER FOUR MAVIS LEAVES HER NEST Mavis did not tell the whole truth to the two old ladies; they gathered from her subdued manner that she had not been successful in her quest. The girl was too weary to give explanations, to talk, even to think; the contemplation of the wreck of the castles that she had been building in the air had tired her: she went to bed, resolving to put off further thought for the future until the morrow. Several times in the night, she awoke with a start, when she was oppressed with a great fear of the days to come; but each time she put this concern from her, as if conscious that she required all the rest she could get, in order to make up her mind to the course of action which she should pursue on the morrow. When she definitely awoke, she determined on one thing, that, unless pressed by circumstances, she would not ask the Devitts for help. The old ladies were already down when she went in to breakfast. Miss Annie, directly she saw Mavis, took up a letter that she had laid beside her plate. "I've heard from Mrs Devitt, dear," she said, after she had asked Mavis, according to custom, how she had slept. "What does she say?" asked Mavis indifferently. "That she regrets she is unable to offer you anything at present, but if, at any time, you would take a clerkship in one of the companies in which her husband is interested, they might be able to provide you with a berth," replied Annie. "Oh!" said Mavis shortly. "She has also sent me a postal order for your fare," continued Annie. Mavis made no reply. The two old maids glanced significantly at one another; presently, Annie Mee was emboldened to ask: "Do you think you would like to earn your living in the manner indicated?" "I have decided not to," replied Mavis shortly. "Of course, if you would prefer to stay with us," began Miss Helen. "If you have no objection, I will leave for good tomorrow morning," said Mavis. "Leave for good!" cried the two old ladies together, who, now that they believed Mavis to be going, were dismayed at the prospect of living without her. "It will be better for all of us," remarked Mavis. "But have you anything in view, dear?" asked Miss Annie. "Nothing very definite. But I've every hope of being settled in a day or two."