“That _is_ a sensible gal,” muttered Nutty, as he entered in his inventory--“1 save-orl, a arm chare and 1 floured assik.” At this moment there was a gentle knock at the room door, and Mr. Nutty opened it about two inches, and peered through. “Wot d’ye want?” said he gruffly, to some one without. “Miss Clinton--is she here?” asked a pleasant voice without. “Don’t know her--don’t live here,” said Nutty, slamming the door to. Lotte screamed. “Open it--open the door!” she cried; “it is my brother Charley.” In an instant she put Nutty aside, opened the door, and putting her head out, said, hastily-- “Come in, Charley; I am so glad you are here.” Then followed a sound as of the chirruping of young sparrows. It was Charley and Lotte performing the usual act of grace on meeting each other, it being customary for the pair to kiss a dozen times in rapid succession--a quick fire, painful only to those who don’t participate. Lotte led forward her brother, a rather smartly-dressed young man, and introduced him to Flora, with a manner which plainly said--“Isn’t he a nice fellow?” Flora was, however, in no mood for introductions to strangers, she bowed, but did not speak. “Charley is a lawyer,” said Lotte, triumphantly. Flora slightly bowed again, without comprehending that the fact would be of any advantage to her, and Mr. Nutty snorted as if he instantly smelt hostile opposition to his supremacy. The fact was, Charley was a lawyer’s clerk, on twenty-five shillings per week, but he had improved the opportunities he possessed by working very hard, reading up the best works on the study and practice of the law, making himself master of cases which were precedents, and, in fact, doing his best to fit himself either for the bar, if he could raise the necessary funds to be called to it, or to be a first-class solicitor. His principal object, as at present entertained by him, was to place his sister above the reach of want, and the necessity for her present life-destroying labour. He little knew how hard the work, how small the earnings. Out of his narrow weekly salary he contrived occasionally to make her little presents, and certainly he visited no place or person more regularly or more frequently than he did the humble abode of his sister. Not that he went much anywhere, for he well knew that eminence in the path he had marked out to pursue could not be achieved unless by an incessant and persevering study, which has destroyed more men than it has ever made great. Lotte knew of his devotion to his task--how he sat poring over dreadfully dry books, lighted in his task by the midnight oil, and supported in his trying work by the noble hope that he should be able some day to keep her like a lady. How dearly she loved him for it, no one could know but herself; and, in addition, she thought him the cleverest lawyer in existence, much worthier in respect of merit to preside over the bench of judges than the Lord Chief Justice himself.