Mrs. Howland raised a distracted face. "Really, I can't think," she said, "my head is so weak." "Well, mum," said Matilda, "s'pose as missus and me does the 'ousekeepin' for you to-day. You ain't fit, mum; it's but to look at you to know that. It's lyin' down you ought to be, with haromatic vinegar on your 'ead." "You're quite right, Matilda. Well, you see to the things to-day. Have them choice, but not too choice; fairly expensive, but not too expensive, you understand." "Yus, 'um," said Tildy, and left the room. Maggie found herself alone with her mother. "Mother," she said eagerly, "now I will tell you why I was not home for breakfast this morning." "Oh, it doesn't matter, Maggie," said Mrs. Howland; "I am too weak to be worried, and that's a fact." "It won't worry you, mother. I breakfasted with Mr. Martin." "What--what!" said Mrs. Howland, astonishment in her voice, and with eyebrows raised almost to meet her hair. "And an excellent breakfast we had," said Maggie. "He isn't a bad sort at all, mother." "Well, I am glad you've found that out. Do you suppose your mother would marry a man who was not most estimable in character?" "He is quite estimable, mother; the only unfortunate thing against him is that he is not in your rank in life." "A woman who lives in these rooms," said Mrs. Howland, "has no rank in life." "Well, dear mother, I cannot agree with you. However, as I said, I breakfasted with him." "Then you're coming round?" said Mrs. Howland. "You're going to be good, and a comfort to us both?" "No, mother, I haven't come round a bit. When I was breakfasting with Mr. Martin I fully explained to him what a fearful trial I should be to him; how, day by day and hour by hour, I'd annoy him." "You did that! Oh you wicked child!" "I thought it best to be frank, mother. I made an impression on him. I did what I did as much for your sake as for mine." "Then he'll break off the engagement--of course he will!" said Mrs. Howland. She took a moist handkerchief from her pocket and pressed it to her eyes. "Not he. He is just devoted to you, mother; you need have no such apprehension." "What else did you say to him?" "Well, mother darling, I said what I thought right." "Oh, of course you won't confide in me." "I think not. I will let him do that. He is coming to tea this afternoon, and he has given me a sovereign"--how Maggie felt inclined to kick that sovereign!--"to go and have some pleasure somewhere. So I mean to take the train to Richmond, and perhaps get a boatman to take me out on the river for a little." "He is certainly more playful and amusing when you are not here," said Mrs. Howland, a faint smile dawning on her face. "I am certain of that," said Maggie; "and what's more, he is very fond of good living. I mean to go out presently and get some excellent things for his tea." "Will you, Maggie? Will you, my child? Why, that will be quite sweet of you."