and very dainty.

Weeks passed before she and David could be alone together; eager and
curious and sympathetic as she was. David did not change; the gloom of
his troublesome thoughts hung over him, she could see, all the while;
though nobody else seemed to notice it. At last, one evening in March,
it fell out that all the family were going to the theatre. Even Mrs.
Lloyd; for some particular attraction was just then drawing crowds to
the nightly spectacle; and Norton and Judy had put in their claim to be
allowed to go, and it had been granted. David was invited, but he
refused without ceremony. Mrs. Laval turned to Matilda; and Mrs. Lloyd
asked graciously if she would like to go? Now Matilda would have liked
very much to go, on one side of the question; yet her answer was a
grateful negative.

"What's the reason?" said the old lady. "It is no use asking for Davy's
reasons, for they are sure to be immovable; but you, Tilly, what's the
matter with you? Were you ever there?"

"No, ma'am, never."

"It'll amuse you, child; come! Judy's going."

It was difficult to answer; but Matilda remembered words she had heard
from Mr. Richmond, which shewed that he did not think the theatre a
place for a Christian to be amused in; and without in the least
understanding his reasons, Matilda did not dare go. She said, and
truly, that she would rather stay at home; and so it fell out that she
and David were left for a whole evening alone.

The carriage had driven off; the two came back into the little
reception room where the family usually had tea and spent the evening;
Matilda having slipped upstairs and brought down her two Bibles. David
turned up the gas and looked at her.

"What have you got there, Tilly?"

"A book that will help us, I hope."

"I wish it would help me!" said David, as he sat down and buried his
face in his hands.

"We've got all the evening to ourselves, if we want it," said Matilda a
little timidly.

"Yes. They will not be home before twelve o' clock."

But David did not seem in a hurry to avail himself of his opportunity.
He sat with his head in his hands, and then got up and walked about,
looking dark enough. Matilda waited and watched him, wondering and
anxious.

"What do you think of Judy?" he said suddenly, coming to a stand
opposite Matilda.

"I think she likes to amuse herself," Matilda answered, very much
surprised.

"How do you like her amusing herself at your expense?"

"I don't like