had drawn nearer, at about the time when
Mrs Milvey mentioned Lizzie Hexam, and had remained near, since: though
always glancing towards the door by which Lightwood had gone out. He
stood with his back towards them, and his gloved hands clasped behind
him. There was now so evident a faltering upon him, expressive of
indecision whether or no he should express his having heard himself
referred to, that Mr Milvey spoke to him.

'I cannot recall your name,' he said, 'but I remember to have seen you
in your school.'

'My name is Bradley Headstone, sir,' he replied, backing into a more
retired place.

'I ought to have remembered it,' said Mr Milvey, giving him his hand. 'I
hope you are well? A little overworked, I am afraid?'

'Yes, I am overworked just at present, sir.'

'Had no play in your last holiday time?'

'No, sir.'

'All work and no play, Mr Headstone, will not make dulness, in your
case, I dare say; but it will make dyspepsia, if you don't take care.'

'I will endeavour to take care, sir. Might I beg leave to speak to you,
outside, a moment?'

'By all means.'

It was evening, and the office was well lighted. The schoolmaster, who
had never remitted his watch on Lightwood's door, now moved by another
door to a corner without, where there was more shadow than light; and
said, plucking at his gloves:

'One of your ladies, sir, mentioned within my hearing a name that I am
acquainted with; I may say, well acquainted with. The name of the sister
of an old pupil of mine. He was my pupil for a long time, and has got on
and gone upward rapidly. The name of Hexam. The name of Lizzie Hexam.'
He seemed to be a shy man, struggling against nervousness, and spoke in
a very constrained way. The break he set between his last two sentences
was quite embarrassing to his hearer.

'Yes,' replied Mr Milvey. 'We are going down to see her.'

'I gathered as much, sir. I hope there is nothing amiss with the sister
of my old pupil? I hope no bereavement has befallen her. I hope she is
in no affliction? Has lost no--relation?'

Mr Milvey thought this a man with a very odd manner, and a dark downward
look; but he answered in his usual open way.

'I am glad to tell you, Mr Headstone, that the sister of your old pupil
has not sustained any such loss. You thought I might be going down to
bury some one?'

'That may have been the connexion of ideas, sir, with your clerical
character, but I was not conscious of it.--Then you are