Barmbys had scarcely seen her; now their
friendly intercourse was renewed, and Jessica came at least once a week.
She had an engagement at a girls' school in this neighbourhood, and,
though her health threatened another collapse, she talked of resuming
study for the Matriculation of next year.

Samuel, perfectly aware of the slavish homage which Miss. Morgan paid
him, took pleasure in posing before her. It never entered his mind to
make any return beyond genial patronage, but the incense of a female
devotee was always grateful to him, and he had come to look upon Jessica
as a young person peculiarly appreciative of intellectual distinction. A
week ago, walking with her to the omnibus after an evening she had spent
in Dagmar Road, he had indulged a spirit of confidence, and led her
to speak of Nancy Lord. The upshot of five minutes' conversation was a
frank inquiry, which he could hardly have permitted himself but for the
shadow of night and the isolating noises around them. As an intimate
friend, did she feel able to tell him whether or not Miss. Lord was
engaged to be married? Jessica, after a brief silence, answered that she
did _not_ feel at liberty to disclose what she knew on the subject; but
the words she used, and her voice in uttering them, left no doubt as to
her meaning. Samuel said no more. At parting, he pressed the girl's hand
warmly.

This afternoon, they began by avoiding each other's look. Samuel
seemed indisposed for conversation; he sipped at a cup of tea with an
abstracted and somewhat weary air, until Miss. Morgan addressed him.

'To-morrow is the evening of your lecture, isn't it, Mr. Barmby?'

'To-morrow.'

By the agency of a friend who belonged to a society of mutual
improvement at Pentonville, Samuel had been invited to go over and
illumine with his wisdom the seekers after culture in that remote
district, a proposal that flattered him immensely, and inspired him with
a hope of more than suburban fame. For some months he had spoken of
the engagement. He was to discourse upon 'National Greatness: its
Obligations and its Dangers.'

'Of course it will be printed afterwards?' pursued the devotee.

'Oh, I don't know. It's hardly worth that.'

'Oh, I'm sure it will be!'

And Jessica appealed to the sisters, who declared that certain passages
they had been privileged to hear seemed to them very remarkable.

Ladies were to be admitted, but the Miss. Barmbys felt afraid to
undertake so long a