flower appeared in the same place. This pretty little piece of
courtesy, which she knew could only come from Ezra, surprised and
pleased her, for delicacy was the last quality for which she would have
given him credit.

On another occasion she had expressed a desire to read Thackeray's
works, the books in the library being for the most part of last century.
On entering her room that same evening she found, to her astonishment, a
handsomely bound edition of the novels in question standing on the
centre of her table. For a moment a wild, unreasoning hope awoke in her
that perhaps this was Tom's doing--that he had taken this means of
showing that she was still dear to him. She soon saw, however, that the
books could only have come from the same source as the flowers, and she
marvelled more than ever at this fresh proof of the good will of her
companion.

One day her guardian took the girl aside. "Your life must be rather
dull," he said. "I have taken a box for you to-night at the opera.
I do not care about such spectacles myself, but I have made arrangements
for your escort. A change will do you good."

Poor Kate was too sad at heart to be inclined for amusement.
She endeavoured, however, to look pleased and grateful.

"My good friend, Mrs. Wilkinson, is coming for you," the merchant said,
"and Ezra is going too. He has a great liking for music."

Kate could not help smiling at this last remark, as she thought how
very successfully the young man had concealed his taste during the years
that she had known him.

She was ready, however, at the appointed hour, and Mrs. Wilkinson, a
prim old gentlewoman, who had chaperoned Kate on the rare occasions when
she went out, having arrived, the three drove off together.

The opera happened to be "Faust," and the magnificent scenery and
dresses astonished Kate, who had hardly ever before been within the
walls of a theatre. She sat as if entranced, with a bright tinge of
colour upon her cheeks, which, with her sparkling eyes, made her look
surpassingly beautiful. So thought Ezra Girdlestone as he sat in the
recesses of the box and watched the varied expressions which flitted
across her mobile features. "She is well worth having, money or no," he
muttered to himself, and redoubled his attentions to her during the
evening.

An incident occurred between the acts that night which would have
pleased the old merchant had he witnessed it. Kate had been looking
down fro