"Yes, my dear," said Miss Clode, pursing up her thin lips. "She couldn't have wanted it, auntie," drawled the girl. "I don't believe she ever used a needle in her life." "Perhaps not, my dear, but she might want it for a present." "Oh, so she might; I never thought of that. Customers!" added the girl sharply, and rose to go into the shop. "I'll attend to them, my dear," said Miss Clode quickly, and she entered the shop to smilingly confront Sir Harry Payne and Sir Matthew Bray. "Well, Miss Clode, what's the newest and best book for a man to read?" "Really, Sir Harry, I am very sorry," she said. "The coach has not brought anything fresh, but I expect a parcel down some time to-day. Perhaps you'd look in again?" "Ah, well, I will," he said. "Come along, Bray." "Have you seen these new card-cases, Sir Matthew?" said the little woman, taking half a dozen from a drawer. "They are real russia, and the gilding is of very novel design. Only a guinea, Sir Matthew, and quite new." "Ah, yes, very handsome indeed. A guinea, did you say?" he said, turning the handsome leather case over and over. "Yes, Sir Matthew. May I put it down to your account?" "Well, ah, yes--I--ah, yes, I'll take this one." "Thank you, Sir Matthew. I'll wrap it up, please, in silver paper;" and, with deft fingers, the little woman wrapped up the purchase, handed it over with a smile, and the two friends strolled out for Sir Harry to give his friend a light touch in the side with the head of his cane, accompanied by a peculiar smile, which the other refused to see. "How very anxious Sir Harry seems to be to get that new book, auntie," drawled Annie, coming into the shop where Miss Clode was busily making an entry on her slate; "that makes twice he's been here to-day." "Yes, my dear, he's a great reader. But now, Annie, the time has come when I think I may take you into my confidence." "La, auntie, do you?" "I do, and mind this, child: if ever you are foolish or weak, or do anything to betray it, you leave me directly, and that will be a very serious thing." Miss Slade's jaw fell, and her mouth opened widely, as did her eyes. "Ah, I see you understand, so now come here with me." Miss Slade obeyed, and followed her aunt into the middle room at the back, where, by means of a match dipped into a bottle of phosphorus. Miss Clode obtained a light and ignited a little roll of wax taper, and then, as her niece watched her with open eyes as they sat at the table, the lady took a small letter from her pocket and laid it with its sealed side uppermost on the table. "Why, I saw Sir Harry Payne give you that letter this morning, auntie, when he came first." "Oh, you saw that, did you?" said Miss Clode. "Yes, auntie, and I thought first he had given it to you to post, and then as you didn't send me with it, I wondered why he had written to you."