pon the signal vice of his class, it one day
occurred to Daniel that he ought to take to himself a helpmeet, a
partner of his joys and sorrows. He had thought of it from time to time
during the past year, but only in a vague way; he had even directed his
eyes to the woman who might perchance be the one most suitable, though
with anything but assurance of his success if he seriously endeavoured
to obtain her. Long ago he had ceased to trouble himself about his first
love; with characteristic acceptance of the accomplished fact, he never
really imagined that Alice Mutimer, after she became an heiress,
could listen to his wooing, and, to do him justice, he appreciated the
delicacy of his position, if he should continue to press his suit. It
cost him not a little suffering altogether to abandon his hopes, for the
Princess had captivated him, and if he could have made her his wife he
would--for at least twelve months--have been a proud and exultant man.
But all that was over; Daniel was heart-free, when he again began to
occupy himself with womankind; it was a very different person towards
whom he found himself attracted. This was Emma Vine.

After that chance meeting with Mrs. Clay in the omnibus he lost sight of
the sisters for a while, but one day Kate came to the public-house
and desired to see him. She was in great misery. Emma had fallen ill,
gravely ill, and Kate had no money to pay a doctor. The people in the
house, where she lodged were urging her to send for the parish doctor,
but that was an extremity to be avoided as long as a single hope
remained. She had come to borrow a few shillings> in order that she
might take Emma in a cab to the hospital; perhaps they would receive her
as an in-patient. Daniel put his hand in his pocket. He did more; though
on the point of returning from breakfast to his work, he sacrificed the
morning to accompany Mrs. Clay and help her to get the sick girl to
the hospital. Fortunately it was found possible to give her a bed; Emma
remained in the hospital for seven weeks.

Daniel was not hasty in forming attachments. During the seven weeks he
called three or four times to inquire of Mrs. Clay what progress her
sister was making, but when Emma came home again, and resumed her usual
work, he seemed to have no further interest in her. At length Kate came
to the public-house one Saturday night and wished to pay back half
the loan. Daniel shook his head. 'All right, Mrs. Clay; don't you hurt