"Did he touch his cap to you? Was the rascal respectful?" These were her constant inquiries; and, to do her justice, it may be said that she held her head higher, as she walked with her hand on the boy's shoulder, than she had been in the habit of doing. Indeed, her blindness seemed to affect her more than it had ever done before; she seemed anxious to know what was going on about her, and what notice they attracted. "Do people stare at us? Do they whisper? Why don't you tell me everything, just as you would tell it to yourself? You must remember I'm walking in the dark; you are my eyes for the future." Again, when London was reached and he had helped her out of the railway carriage, she chuckled softly to herself as she leaned upon him, and nodded her head approvingly. "You walk well, boy; you carry yourself like a gentleman. A man always can, or a boy either, when he has money jingling in his pockets. And I swear that yours shall never be empty." A servant in livery approached them and touched his hat. He glanced with some surprise at the boy, and spoke to his mistress and offered his arm to her. But Miss Carlaw waved him scornfully aside. "You needn't trouble, William; I can dispense with your help in the future. Where's the carriage?" The servant led the way across the station to where a fine carriage with two horses was drawn up; he opened the door, and Miss Carlaw got in, followed by Comethup, who began to realize that he had indeed entered upon a life of luxury. The noise and roar of the streets through which they drove surprised and startled him, after the sleepy quiet of the old town he had left. His aunt was eager with anticipations of all they were to do, and of all the changes she contemplated making in her own mode of life, for the boy's comfort. "Oh, we'll do big things with you, Comethup; you shall be the best-known boy in London. By the Lord! I've never had a chance like this before. I'll dress you like a prince, and let them see that I've got some one young and handsome--for you _are_ handsome, you dog, there's not a doubt of that--some one young and handsome about me, who loves me. Oh, I'll be good to you, Comethup, if you keep to your part of the bargain, for I'm precious hungry for somebody's love, I can assure you. I've waited a devilish long time for it."