oom, with his hands at his back,
his head bent, not uttering another word for ten minutes. Presently he
shook off his ill mood, and laughing, said, 'There has been an arrival
at the mansion in Dowry Square. I came to tell you of it, only you put
it out of my head.'

'An arrival? A new serving-maid?'

'Yes; but that word does not suit her. I am taking her out on Sunday,
and I shall bring her here, poor soul! I pity her as I pity anyone who
has to deal with the family of Lambert. You know that big fellow
Henderson--I brought him here once.'

'Yes, sure, I remember him, and his pleasant face.'

'His stupid face, rather. Well, to proceed--a cart lumbered up to
Lambert's house Monday at noon, and with a mighty thump the said
Henderson descended. Then he put a bundle on the pavement, next a box,
next a big bunch of gillyflowers and roses, and next he helped out a
young woman. What do I say?--a young lady, beautiful as an angel--just
such an one as I have seen in dreams.'

'Like Miss Rumsey, Tom.'

'Pshaw! Miss Rumsey is of the earth earthy, but this one is of another
race. In she came just as I was returning from a message sent by Mr
Lambert, and I stood aside to let her pass. She smiled, and yet there
were tears in her eyes as she turned to Henderson, and says she,
"Good-bye, Jack. Come and see me soon, and--" Then came a voice from the
parlour, "Sam, take the young woman's box to her chamber, and walk in
here, Miss Palmer." Then the vision passed, and I was in the street
bidding Jack Henderson good day as he clambered up to his seat to drive
round to Corn Street and put up the horse for the night at the White
Hart. I'll bring her here on Sunday, and you'll judge for yourself and
sister also. She will admire her as much as I do, if she don't look at
her through the green eyes of jealousy.'

'Whatever has brought her to Mr Lambert's?'

'She is a cousin of the old lady's, in poor plight from some loss of
money. Poor! How pretty that word sounds from Madam Lambert's lips.
Well, the poverty will make a bond between this young lady and me; and
when I asked her if she would like to see my mother she said she would
fain see anyone who would be kind to her, so expect us on Sunday.'

'In the forenoon, Tom?'

'I think not. She will have her slaving to get through first.'

Then Chatterton went to a door leading up a flight of narrow stairs to
the upper storey of his mother's house.

'You are not going up there for long,