The father, the kitten, and the daughter looked a little strangely at Hardy and Julia Armstrong, as though before proceeding they wanted to see things in a clearer light. Hardy understanding this, spoke out with the bluntness of a sailor. "Look here, Bax," said he, "I'm going to London to join my ship. I was bound away to-night, but on the road I fell in with this young lady, who lay in a swoon." "Oh, dear, poor thing!" groaned Miss Bax. "She came to, and I brought her here after learning that she was leaving her home for good on account of the barbarous behaviour of her stepmother--" "Oh, I know, I know," interrupted Miss Bax. "She was walking to catch the train I was bound by; she is not in a fit state to travel, Bax. _You_ can see that, ma'am; therefore she shall sup under this comfortable old roof, and take the rest she needs in the room you offer her. Her train leaves at ten in the morning, and we will take it." The kitten purred as it fretted Bax's cheek. Bax said, "It's all right, Mr. Hardy, and you shall be made comfortable. What 'ull you 'ave for supper?" What would be better than some cold ham and a dish of eggs and bacon, a dish of sausages in mashed potato, and the half of a beautiful apple tart, along with a jug of real cream? And for drink there was some first-class ale kept by Bax for Bax himself, for he held no license, and his dealings were secret, and if he took money it was a gift for a kindness. "Will you come up-stairs and see your room, Miss Armstrong, before I goes about and gets your supper for you?" exclaimed Miss Bax. "Have you got no baggage?" inquired old Bax, jerking the kitten on to the table. "It will follow me to London," said Miss Armstrong, and she rose and went up-stairs with Miss Bax. Hardy sat down upon the sofa, and Bax went to work to lay the cloth. There was plenty of room at that little table for two. Bax had been a gardener in a great family, and had often helped the coachman, the footman, and the butler to wait. He possessed some good old-fashioned table apparel, and before Miss Armstrong returned the room looked bright and hospitable with the light of an oil lamp reflected in cutlery, glass, and cruet-stand. Julia entered, and Bax walked out. She went and sat beside Hardy, and the lovely Persian kitten sprang into her lap. Her hair was as beautiful as her figure, and her gray eyes were full of heart and meaning. You could not have called her pretty, yet you were sensible of a charm in her face that had nothing to do with the shape of her nose or the character of her mouth. "Do you feel better?" said Hardy. "Much; I never thought to find myself stopping a night here. Of course, I have been the means of your losing your train?" "To-morrow will do just as well," he answered. "Where did you mean to sleep when you got to London to-night?" "I should have found a room," she answered. "Will they send on your luggage if you write for it?"