"And Job's patroness," remarked Ruth, who was too much annoyed by her aunt's manner to be careful. Mrs. Marshall flashed at her a look which boded ill for the harmony of their future relations. "Yes; I am looking after the poor man. There is nothing wrong in that, I hope?" "On the contrary," said her niece, and went towards the door. It was opened by Job, who, during this interview, had been most discreetly silent. He winked at the girl--not rudely, but to intimate that he still looked upon her as a Romany sister--and ushered her into the room. Mrs. Marshall had resumed her seat by the fire, and pointed out the other chair to her niece. Job leant up against the table, and regarded the two with a twinkle in his dark eyes. Evidently he anticipated some amusement. "Have you been here before, Ruth?" asked the elder lady, sharply. "Once; I was curious to see the place." "On account of the murder, I suppose?" replied Mrs. Marshall, with contempt. "Really, Ruth, I do wonder that you should care to concern yourself with such horrors! And why do you come here again?" "To see Job," was the quiet answer. "Me and the lady are pals," put in Job. "Oh, yes; she can patter the black tongue, and she is a real Romany sister." "Perhaps, Ruth, you will explain," said Mrs. Marshall, both puzzled and annoyed. "I think Job has already done so," Ruth said, coolly. "I met him here by accident when last I came, and I talked Romany to him. He has taken me as a sister of the gypsy folk. I am a female Borrow." "Ruth!" Aunt Inez threw up her hands in horror. "How dare you speak like this? A low gypsy--a tramp--and you a young lady! And pray where did you learn the gypsy language?" "At school, and out of it. I got a gypsy woman to teach me. But I do not see why you should forbid me to associate with Job, aunt. You are doing so yourself." "I!" exclaimed that lady, with something of defiance in her manner. "But I have taken this poor man under my protection, and I intend to make him comfortable." Ruth did not reply immediately. Then she looked up: "Last time I was here you watched me, Aunt Inez," she said, slowly. "Perhaps I did--perhaps I did not," replied that lady, coldly. She scorned to tell a lie, and refused to own the truth. "Then you know what I found here--under the window?" Job looked up eagerly and exchanged a glance with Mrs. Marshall. But that clever lady preserved an imperturbable countenance. "What you found, my dear, is of no consequence to me," she said, impatiently, and rose to her feet. "It is more to the purpose that we should be going. I will arrange about your weekly money," she said, turning to Job. "Thank you, lady," said the gypsy, gratefully. "You are a real good sort. I won't trouble you long, though. I'm booked before the year is out."