"Ten thousand times more, my darling, or I shouldn't have been running horrible risks to-night to keep my appointment with you." "And you--you want to make me your wife, Richard--to share everything with you?" "You know I do, darling," he cried, in a low, hoarse whisper. "Then, Dick, dear, it wouldn't be proper respect to your future wife to take me there to your works at this time of night," said the girl, simply, as she clung to him. "Not when the streets are unsafe?" he cried. "Let's part now, directly," said Daisy. "I would sooner die than any one should hurt you, Richard; but you'd never respect your wife if she had no respect for herself. Good night, Richard." "There, I was right," he cried, petulantly, as he snatched himself away. "You do still care for Tom." "No, no, Dick, dear Dick. I don't a bit," sobbed the girl. "Don't, pray don't, speak to me like that." "Then will you come with me--only because it isn't safe here?" whispered Richard. "No, no," sobbed the girl, firmly, "I can't do that, and if you loved me as you said, you wouldn't ask me." "Bah!" ejaculated Richard, angrily. "Go to your dirty, grimy lout of a lover then;" and as the girl clung to him he thrust her rudely away. Sim Slee, more rat-like than ever, had been rubbing his hands together with delight, as he looked down at the dimly-seen figures, and overheard every word. "There'll be a faight, and Dicky Glaire will be bunched about strangely," muttered Sim, as Daisy gave a faint scream, for a figure strode out of the darkness. "She wouldn't have far to go," said the figure, hoarsely. "Tom!" cried Daisy, shrinking to the wall. "Yes, it's Tom, sure enew," said the new-comer. "Daisy Banks, it's time thou wast at home, and I'm goin' to see thee theer." "How dare you interfere, you insolent scoundrel!" cried Richard, striding forward; but he stopped short as Tom drew himself up. "Look ye here, Richard Glaire--Mester Richard Glaire," said Tom, hoarsely, "I'm goin' to tak' Daisy Banks home to her father wi'out touching of you; but if yow try to stop me, I'll finish the job as I stopped them lads from doing this morning. Now go home while you're raight, for it wean't be safe to come a step nigher." Richard Glaire drew back, while the young fellow took Daisy by the wrist, and drew her arm through his own, striding off directly, but stopping as Richard cried: "You cowardly eavesdropper; you heard every word." "Just about," said Tom, coolly; "I come to tak' care o' Daisy here; and if she'd said `Yes,' by the time yow'd got the key of your private door theer, I should ha' knocked thee down and had my foot o' thee handsome face, Mester." He strode off, Daisy having hard work to keep up with him, sobbing the while, till they were near her home, when she made an effort to cease crying, wiped her eyes, and broke the silence. "Did--did you hear what I said, Tom?" she whispered. "Ivery word, lass, but I only recollect one thing." "What was that?"