cause you don't know the bitterness of needing.'

'Fortunately, however, there's no occasion for it. You have no right to
refuse for another what you wouldn't accept for yourself. Of course I
could send in a man to do it; but if you would do it, that would do her
heart good. And that's what most wants doing good to--isn't it, now?'

'I believe you're right there, sir. If it wasn't for the misery of it, I
shouldn't mind the hunger.'

'I should like to tell you how I came to go poking my nose into other
people's affairs. Would you like to hear my story now?'

'If you please, sir.'

A little pallid curiosity seemed to rouse itself in the heart of the
hopeless man. So Falconer began at once to tell him how he had been
brought up, describing the country and their ways of life, not excluding
his adventures with Shargar, until he saw that the man was thoroughly
interested. Then all at once, pulling out his watch, he said,

'But it's time I had my tea, and I haven't half done yet. I am not fond
of being hungry, like you, Mr. De Fleuri.'

The poor fellow could only manage a very dubious smile.

'I'll tell you what,' said Falconer, as if the thought had only just
struck him--'come home with me, and I'll give you the rest of it at my
own place.'

'You must excuse me, sir.'

'Bless my soul, the man's as proud as Lucifer! He wont accept a
neighbour's invitation to a cup of tea--for fear it should put him under
obligations, I suppose.'

'It's very kind of you, sir, to put it in that way; but I don't choose
to be taken in. You know very well it's not as one equal asks another
you ask me. It's charity.'

'Do I not behave to you as an equal?'

'But you know that don't make us equals.'

'But isn't there something better than being equals? Supposing, as you
will have it, that we're not equals, can't we be friends?'

'I hope so, sir.'

'Do you think now, Mr. De Fleuri, if you weren't something more to me
than a mere equal, I would go telling you my own history? But I forgot:
I have told you hardly anything yet. I have to tell you how much nearer
I am to your level than you think. I had the design too of getting you
to help me in the main object of my life. Come, don't be a fool. I want
you.'

'I can't leave Katey,' said the weaver, hesitatingly.

'Miss St. John is there still. I will ask her to stop till you come
back.'

Without waiting for an answer, he ran up the stairs, and had speedily
arranged with Miss St. Jo