MISS P.--Do you know the meaning of that threat, Mr. Howell? JOHN.--Yes, Miss Prior. MISS P.--I was a dancer once, for three months, four years ago, when my poor father was in prison. JOHN.--Yes, Miss Prior, I knew it. And I saw you a many times. MISS P.--And you kept my secret? JOHN.--Yes, Ju--Jul--Miss Prior. MISS P.--Thank you, and God bless you, John Howell. There, there. You mustn't! indeed you mustn't! JOHN.--You don't remember the printer's boy who used to come to Mr. O'Reilly, and sit in your 'all in Bury Street, Miss Prior? I was that boy. I was a country-bred boy--that is if you call Putney country, and Wimbledon Common and that. I served the Milliken family seven year. I went with Master Horace to college, and then I revolted against service, and I thought I'd be a man and turn printer like Doctor Frankling. And I got in an office: and I went with proofs to Mr. O'Reilly, and I saw you. And though I might have been in love with somebody else before I did--yet it was all hup when I saw you. MISS P. [kindly.]--YOU must not talk to me in that way, John Howell. JOHN.--Let's tell the tale out. I couldn't stand the newspaper night-work. I had a mother and brothers and sisters to keep, as you had. I went back to Horace Milliken and said, Sir, I've lost my work. I and mine want bread. Will you take me back again? And he did. He's a kind, kind soul is my master. MISS P.--He IS a kind, kind soul. JOHN.--He's good to all the poor. His hand's in his pocket for everybody. Everybody takes advantage of him. His mother-in-lor rides over him. So does his Ma. So do I, I may say; but that's over now; and you and I have had our notice to quit. Miss, I should say. MISS P.--Yes. JOHN.--I have saved a bit of money--not much--a hundred pound. Miss Prior--Julia--here I am--look--I'm a poor feller--a poor servant--but I've the heart of a man--and--I love you--oh! I love you! MARY.--Oh ho--ho! [Mary has entered from garden, and bursts out crying.] MISS P.--It can't be, John Howell--my dear, brave, kind John Howell. It can't be. I have watched this for some time past, and poor Mary's despair here. [Kisses Mary, who cries plentifully.] You have the heart of a true, brave man, and must show it and prove it now. I am not--am not of your pardon me for saying so--of your class in life. I was bred by my uncle, away from my poor parents, though I came back to them after his sudden death; and to poverty, and to this dependent life I am now leading. I am a servant, like you, John, but in another sphere--have to seek another place now; and heaven knows if I shall procure one, now that that unlucky passage in my life is known. Oh, the coward to recall it! the coward! MARY.--But John whopped him, Miss! that he did. He gave it him well, John did. [Crying.] MISS P.--You can't--you ought not to forego an attachment like that, John Howell. A more honest and true-hearted creature never breathed than Mary Barlow. JOHN.--No, indeed.