bide by
the consequences, all the same. Unfortunately, it happened to be in the
presence of witnesses, and she is not the sort of lady to be easily got
rid of. You will marry her and settle down with her in two small rooms.
Her people will be your people. You will come to know them better before
many days are passed. Among them she is regarded as 'the lady,' from
which you can judge of them. A nice commencement of your career, is it
not, my ambitious young friend? A nice mess you have made of it!"

"What am I to do?" I asked.

"Upon my word, I don't know," I answered.

I passed a wretched day. Ashamed to face Mrs. Peedles or even the
slavey, I kept to my room, with the door locked. At dusk, feeling a
little better--or, rather, less bad, I stole out and indulged in a
simple meal, consisting of tea without sugar and a kippered herring, at
a neighbouring coffee-house. Another gentleman, taking his seat opposite
to me and ordering hot buttered toast, I left hastily.

At eight o'clock in the evening Minikin called round from the office to
know what had happened. Seeking help from shame, I confessed to him the
truth.

"Thought as much," he answered. "Seems to have been an A1 from the look
of you."

"I am glad it has happened, now it is over," I said to him. "It will be
a lesson I shall never forget."

"I know," said Minikin. "Nothing like a fair and square drunk for making
you feel real good; better than a sermon."

In my trouble I felt the need of advice; and Minikin, though my junior,
was, I knew, far more experienced in worldly affairs than I was.

"That's not the worst," I confided to him. "What do you think I've
done?"

"Killed a policeman?" suggested Minikin.

"Got myself engaged."

"No one like you quiet fellows for going it when you do begin,"
commented Minikin. "Nice girl?"

"I don't know," I answered. "I only know I don't want her. How can I get
out of it?"

Minikin removed his left eye and commenced to polish it upon his
handkerchief, a habit he had when in doubt. From looking into it he
appeared to derive inspiration.

"Take-her-own-part sort of a girl?"

I intimated that he had diagnosed Miss Rosina Sellars correctly.

"Know how much you're earning?"

"She knows I live up here in this attic and do my own cooking," I
answered.

Minikin glanced round the room. "Must be fond of you."

"She thinks I'm clever," I explained, "and that I shall make my way.

"And she's willing to wait?"

I