Mr Timmins was the head of a large firm of solicitors, and the girls passed through many rooms full of clerks, both old and young, who looked up as they passed by and gazed at them with admiration. Even Brenda was a pretty girl, but Florence was quite above the ordinary with regard to good looks. There was something so fresh and innocent, and withal pathetic, about the young creatures, that the men who watched them felt their hearts softening both with admiration and affection. Those who were old thought that they would like such girls to be their daughters, and those who were young felt instinctively that such girls would make good wives and sisters. The girls passed through the different rooms, and were presently ushered into Mr Timmins' own private sanctum. He was waiting for them, and was quite alone. He gave them both a very hearty welcome, and desired them to take off their hats and jackets and sit near the fire. Brenda obeyed at once, but Florence looked restless and impatient. "I suppose," she said, after a minute's pause, while she was fiddling with a feather boa which she wore round her neck, "you will tell us to-day, Mr Timmins, just what we are to do in the future." "I have sent for you for that purpose," he replied. "We have got to earn our living, haven't we?" said Florence. "Well," he replied, speaking slowly, "girls who have no money have, as a rule, to earn their living." Florence looked at Brenda and half smiled, but Brenda's sweet face was very grave. "Sit down, Florence," she said: "don't be impatient. Let us wait until we hear what Mr Timmins has to say." "Yes; that is quite right, Brenda," said Mr Timmins. "Florence, please take your sealskin jacket off, and your hat: you will be much too hot in this room if you don't." Florence now hesitated no longer. She took her pretty cap off, pushed back her chestnut hair, and unfastened her sealskin jacket. She then sank book in the easy-chair provided for her by Mr Timmins. "Now, my dears," said the good man, "I told you the other day that I would send for you when I had something in my mind's eye for your benefit; and I think I have something. It is my proposal, therefore, that we shall first of all partake of a little lunch. You must be very hungry, both of you, for I know you started from Langdale at nine o'clock; and afterwards we will go to see Lady Marian Dixie." "But what can she want with us?" said Brenda. "She will tell you herself," said Mr Timmins, in his grave voice. "And we have just seventy-five pounds to live on," said Florence. "It seems a good deal of money, for although, Mr Timmins, although you were always very generous, you did not give us a lot of pocket money; you just bought our clothes for us, and paid our school bills, and paid Mrs Fortescue in the holidays; but we ourselves never had much, had we, Brenda?" "Good gracious!" said Mr Timmins--he threw up his hands as he spoke--"you cost hundreds a year, girls--hundreds a year."