few notes on the fiddle, and placed his right foot in
position, and waited amiably to begin. Sally thanked him, and made
the excuse that she was tired. She wished Amelius good night, without
waiting until they were alone together--and, for the first time, without
giving him the customary kiss.

Toff waited until she had gone, and approached his master on tiptoe,
with a low bow.

"May I take the liberty of expressing an opinion, sir. A young girl who
rejects the remedy of the fiddle presents a case of extreme gravity.
Don't despair, sir! It is my pride and pleasure to be never at a loss,
where your interests are concerned. This is, I think, a matter for the
ministrations of a woman. If you have confidence in my wife, I venture
to suggest a visit from Madame Toff."

He discreetly retired, and left his master to think about it.

The time passed--and Amelius was still thinking, and still as far as
ever from arriving at a conclusion, when he heard a door opened behind
him. Sally crossed the room before he could rise from his chair: her
cheeks were flushed, her eyes were bright, her hair fell loose over her
shoulders--she dropped at his feet, and hid her face on his knees. "I'm
an ungrateful wretch!" she burst out; "I never kissed you when I said
good night."

With the best intentions, Amelius took the worst possible way of
composing her--he treated her trouble lightly. "Perhaps you forgot it?"
he said.

She lifted her head, and looked at him, with the tears in her eyes. "I'm
bad enough," she answered; "but not so bad as that. Oh, don't laugh!
there's nothing to laugh at. Have you done with liking me? Are you angry
with me for behaving so badly all day, and bidding you good night as if
you were Toff? You shan't be angry with me!" She jumped up, and sat on
his knee, and put her arms round his neck. "I haven't been to bed," she
whispered; "I was too miserable to go to sleep. I don't know what's been
the matter with me today. I seem to be losing the little sense I ever
had. Oh, if I could only make you understand how fond I am of you! And
yet I've had bitter thoughts, as if I was a burden to you, and I had
done a wrong thing in coming here--and you would have told me so, only
you pitied the poor wretch who had nowhere else to go." She tightened
her hold round his neck, and laid her burning cheek against his face.
"Oh, Amelius, my heart is sore! Kiss me, and say, 'Good night, Sally!'"

He was young--he was a man--for a m