here but you, and some day you
shall pay me again, and I want you to borrow this."

She slipped a tiny little purse into Richmond's hands, and then turned
scarlet, as she saw her companion's pallid face.

"No, no, Janet, I could not: your little scraped together earnings.
Pray don't speak to me like that again."

"I must. I will!" cried the girl with passionate earnestness. "I don't
want it, dear, and it is only a loan. Do, do, pray take it."

"I could not," said Richmond, thrusting the purse into her friend's
hand.

"For Mark's sake, dear."

"For Mark's sake!" faltered Richmond hoarsely.

"Yes; how could I look him in the face again, if I had not behaved to
you as he bade me when we said good-bye on board the ship?"

"As he bade you?"

"Yes; to be as a sister to you always, and to look to you as a sister
for help and comfort when I was in need. Yes, dear, for Mark's sake."

For answer, Richmond Chartley took her friend once more in her arms, and
kissed her, but only to press the purse back into her hand before going
with her to the door, from which they both shrank on opening it, for a
loud voice exclaimed, "Thank you! How do? Ah! Miss Chartley, is the
doctor within?"

CHAPTER THREE.

THE DOCTOR AT HOME.

"Yes, my father is at home, Mr Poynter," said Richmond, speaking
calmly, and drawing back for the visitor to enter.

Then to Janet, in a whisper.

"Can you stay with me a few minutes?"

"I daren't, dear; I am late now, and--Yes, I understand. I will."

It was Richmond's turn to display her firmness, and mastering a nervous
trepidation which she felt, she bent down, kissed her friend, and, with
a meaning pressure of the hand, said "good-bye," and ushered the fresh
visitor, who was busily turning a crimson silk handkerchief round a
painfully glossy hat, into the dining-room.

"Thankye," he said, sitting down, but jumping up again, and placing
another chair, "beg pardon, won't you sit down? I'm in no hurry if the
doctor's engaged."

He nervously seized a very thick gold chain, and dragged a great gold
watch from his pocket to consult.

"Eleven," he said; "thought I'd come and see him as I went into the
City. Nothing the matter, much, but it's as well to see your medical
man."

"I'll tell my father you are here, Mr Poynter."

"No, don't hurry. I'm very busy at my place, but plenty of time. How's
Hendon?"

"My brother is quite well."

"Is he, now? That's right. Fine thing,