He grew eager and excited as he spoke, and carried his eloquent speech on to such a climax that he sat down amidst a perfect tempest of cheering, both Mr Ruddle and Mr Lister leaving their seats afterwards to go and quietly shake hands with him, Mr Grimstone all the while apparently seeing in him a rival, for he scowled ominously, and Mr Jabez Rowle completely emptied his box of snuff. My eyes, though, were principally fixed upon the ladies in the little gallery, and I was near enough to see that Miss Carr's lips were parted, and her eyes looked eager and strange as she leaned forward more and more, till the speech was at an end. The next time I looked, she was gone. Soon after I felt some one pull my arm, and starting round, there stood Mr Hallett, and hurriedly following him out of the hot, noisy room, we made our way once more into the forest. As we rambled on, delighted with the delicious coolness and the sweet scents of the woodlands, Mr Hallett asked me a few questions about myself, soon learning my little history, while my respect for him had increased as I found out more and more how different he was from the ordinary workmen at the office. He was evidently a scholar, and seemed to have a great depth of knowledge in mechanical contrivances. "We must know more of one another, Grace," he said; "I am glad we have been together to-day. What do you do on Sundays?" I explained that when Mr Revitts was off duty we went for a walk. "And pray who is Mr Revitts?" he said. I explained that he was a policeman, and had been very kind to me since I had lodged with him in town. "I am quite alone in London, you see, Mr Hallett," I said in an old-fashioned way at which I now can smile. He nodded, and seemed thoughtful for a few minutes. "Mine is not a very cheerful home, Grace," he said at length; "but if you will come and spend a Sunday--say Sunday week--with us, I shall be glad to see you. Will you come?" "I should be so glad," I cried, and then I stopped short. "What is it?" he said. "Mr Revitts will be off duty that day, sir; and he would be so disappointed if I were not at home. He has been so very kind to me." Mr Hallett looked amused. "Do you mind, sir?" I said. "No, Grace. You are quite right," he quietly said. "Always be faithful to your friends. You shall come next Sunday instead," he added, as we turned into a beautiful little glade that looked bright and golden with the setting sun. "Never throw a trusted friend over for the sake of one you believe to be--" He stopped short, for we had come suddenly upon two ladies, one of whom was Miss Carr. CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. IN THE FOREST.