Inside, before the desk, stood a little figure which he knew well, still in that black dress which she had worn when she ran across Grove Street and wanted to speak to him; with a curl of the light hair, which looked so fair and full of colour on her black shawl, escaped from under her bonnet, talking softly and eagerly to the clerk. Was there no other place he could send her to? She had come up from the country, and was so very reluctant to go down without hearing of something. The man shook his head, and read over to her several entries in his book. Bessie turned round speechless towards the door. Seeing some one standing there, she lifted her eyes full upon John Brown. Troubled and yet steady, full of tears yet clear and seeing clear, shining blue like the skies, _with a great patience_, these eyes encountered the unexpected familiar face. If she felt an additional pang in seeing him, or if any grudge against the supplanter of her family trembled in Bessie’s heart, it made no sign upon her face. She said “good morning” cheerfully as she went past him, and only quickened her pace a little to get out of sight. She did not take any notice of the rapid step after her; the step which could have made up to her in two paces, but did not, restrained by an irresolute will. Probably she knew whose step it was, and interpreted rightly, to some superficial degree, the feelings of John Brown. She thought he was a good-hearted man--she thought he was sorry to know or guess the straits which Bessie thanked heaven nobody in this world did fully know--she thought, by-and-by, shy of intruding upon her, that step would drop off, and she would hear it no more. But it was not so to be. “Miss Christian, I want to speak to you,” said John Brown. She turned towards him directly without any pretence of surprise; and with a smile, the best she could muster, waited to hear what it was. “We are both walking the same way,” said Mr Brown. In spite of herself amazement woke upon Bessie’s face. “That is true: but was that all you had to say?” said Bessie, with the smiles kindling all her dimples. The dimples had only been hidden by fatigue, and hardship, and toil. They were all there. “No, not quite. Were you looking for employment in that office? and why are you seeking employment here?” said the attorney, looking anxiously down upon her. “Because there’s a great many of us in Carlingford,” said Bessie, steadily; “there are half as many governesses as there are children. I thought I might perhaps get on better here.” “In London! Do you think there are fewer governesses here?” said Mr Brown, going on with his questions, and meanwhile studying very closely his little companion’s face; not rudely. To be sure it was a very honest direct investigation, but there was not a thought of rudeness or disrespect either in the eyes that made it or the heart.