"

"You have evidently read a good deal since we parted."

"Yes; I belong to our young men's library and institute; and when of an
evening I get hold of a book, especially a pleasant story-book, I don't
care for other company."

"Have you never seen any other girl you could care for, and wish to
marry?"

"Ah, sir," answered Tom, "a man does not go so mad for a girl as I
did for Jessie Wiles, and when it is all over, and he has come to his
senses, put his heart into joint again as easily as if it were only a
broken leg. I don't say that I may not live to love and to marry another
woman: it is my wish to do so. But I know that I shall love Jessie to my
dying day; but not sinfully, sir,--not sinfully. I would not wrong her
by a thought."

There was a long pause.

At last Kenelm said, "You promised to be kind to that little girl with
the flower-ball; what has become of her?"

"She is quite well, thank you, sir. My aunt has taken a great fancy to
her, and so has my mother. She comes to them very often of an evening,
and brings her work with her. A quick, intelligent little thing, and
full of pretty thoughts. On Sundays, if the weather is fine, we stroll
out together in the fields."

"She has been a comfort to you, Tom."

"Oh, yes."

"And loves you?"

"I am sure she does; an affectionate, grateful child."

"She will be a woman soon, Tom, and may love you as a woman then."

Tom looked indignant and rather scornful at that suggestion, and
hastened to revert to the subject more immediately at his heart.

"Miss Travers said you would like to call on Will Somers and his wife;
will you? Moleswich is not far from London, you know."

"Certainly, I will call."

"I do hope you will find them happy; and if so, perhaps you will kindly
let me know; and--and--I wonder whether Jessie's child is like her? It
is a boy; somehow or other I would rather it had been a girl."

"I will write you full particulars. But why not come with me?"

"No, I don't think I could do that, just at present. It unsettled me
sadly when I did again see her sweet face at Graveleigh, and she was
still afraid of me too! that was a sharp pang."

"She ought to know what you have done for her, and will."

"On no account, sir; promise me that. I should feel mean if I humbled
them,--that way."

"I understand, though I will not as yet make you any positive promise.
Meanwhile, if you are staying in town, lodge with me; my landlady can
find you a ro