p-toned cathedral clock struck seven from afar.

The townspeople were not so early in their rising as those in the
country and Dowry Square was wrapt in repose when Jack Henderson entered
it. The blinds in the upper windows, and the shutters, with their
heart-shaped holes, were still closed.

A door in one of the houses opened quickly, and a woman came out in a
large frilled nightcap and a big apron. She had a broom in her hand, and
began to raise a great dust by sweeping out the entrance and the dirty
steps. She watched Jack curiously as he knocked at the door of one of
the opposite houses twice and three times with no apparent effect.

'You may knock there till you are tired. Nobody is stirring there yet,
I'll lay a wager. Folks who keep no women servants always lie late.'

Jack only nodded in reply to this, and knocking once more, leaned
against the side of the door and resigned himself to waiting and
patience.

Presently footsteps were heard and the bolts withdrawn and the key
turned in the lock.

The face that appeared as the door was partially opened was a remarkable
one. The eyes that met Jack's were literally blazing with anger, and
the mass of hair tossed back from the wide white brow gave the
appearance of a young lion at bay.

'Curse you, Jack Henderson, for knocking like that at this time of the
day.'

'Keep a civil tongue in your head, Tom. Time of day, indeed! You ought
to be up and half-way to the office by this time. I know Bristol folks
are lie-a-beds, but I didn't think past seven o'clock was thought early
even by them.'

'Well, what do you want? Out with it. Dogs are loth to quit their
kennels when they can dream of the game they never catch when awake.
Come, Henderson, I sha'n't parley any longer. I suppose you are come to
beg, like a poltroon, to be taken back to that precious office in Corn
Street. Get Lambert to intercede for you--eh?'

'I'm not dismissed that I know of. It's nothing of the sort, so hold
your tongue; but I have got a letter here for Madam Lambert, and I want
to see it in safe custody before I leave it.'

'Well, hand it over.'

'You swear to give it to madam, and say I'll call back for an answer in
the afternoon.'

'Who is it from?'

'Ah, that's another matter. I sha'n't tell you; but I say, Tom, if ever
you set eyes on the writer, remember what I tell you. If ever an
angel--'

And now the young men's conversation was abruptly ended. A loud,
strident voice was