He grumbled a little and hesitated, and I, stepping back so that the young woman could not see my action, nodded to him and held up my purse. Understanding from this that I intended to pay him he made up the medicine and gave her the bottle, with which, after expressing her gratitude, she was about to depart, when I said to her: "Will you wait for me a moment at the door? You may trust me." The sincerity I felt must have made itself manifest in my voice, for she bent her head slightly, and waited for me outside. "What is the matter with her mother?" I asked. "I cannot say," replied the chemist. "She has been ill a long time and ought to have a doctor. This is an old prescription; I have made it up several times." "Am I right in supposing that they cannot afford 'a doctor?" "That is evident. They are very poor. They owe me for three bottles already." "She appears to be respectable," I said, as I paid him what was due. "No doubt of it. She works day and night, and I should say it is as much as she can do to keep body and soul together." At my request he wrote the address of a doctor in the neighborhood, and instructed me how to find him. Then I joined the young woman. "You must accept my escort," I said. "It is hardly safe for you to be out on such a night. I am sincerely sorry for your trouble. I may be able to lighten it." She trembled so violently that I feared she would fall, but she did not accept my arm. We walked side by side, in silence, till we reached one of the poorest houses in one of the poorest streets. There she stopped, and wished me good night, and thanked me for my services. "I am going to fetch a doctor to your mother," I said. "How shall we obtain admittance?" "I am afraid I must refuse, sir," she said. "We are not in a position to pay him." "Leave that to me," I replied. "When one dear to you is in peril you cannot refuse to accept assistance even from a stranger. I can sympathize with honest pride, but surely this would be carrying it too far. Your mother needs a doctor. She shall see one." I looked up at the windows, and in one at the top of the house I could faintly distinguish a glimmer of light. "Is that your room?" "Yes, sir." "Shall I knock or ring when I come back with the doctor?" "If you will give a gentle knock, so as not to disturb the other lodgers, I will come down." Then, after a momentary pause, "I did not believe there was such goodness in the world." "You overrate my services. If you knew what you have saved me from----" I did not finish, but asked her to give me the name of the street and the number of the house, which she did. "And your name?" "Cameron, sir." "Thank you. The trust you repose in me shall not be abused." I waited till she had let herself in with a latch-key, and then I departed on my errand.