walk. You certainly shall not go without me, Nora."

Nora tried both entreaty and argument, but neither availed; so, after a very early teaduring which pleasant little meal Miss Archer looked so much better that the girl's heart grew light in her gratitude-they set out.

"I shall receive quite five shillings for the embroidery of this apron," said Nora, looking proudly down upon the parcel she carried, as they turned into Upper Street, "so we will have the indulgence of a tram, Helen. No one could possibly miss eightpence out of five whole shillings."

"You see," observed Helen, her smile dying in a sigh, "how my weakness will exhaust our funds, and-and what help can I give now?"

"I would not like to be obliged to say what help you cannot give now," returned Nora, lightly, as she looked "before and after" for the tramway car,

"How strange," she said, ten minutes afterwards, when they stopped at the spot which had grown so familiar to them both, "that the shop should be closed so early! I think that girl's husband is a very idle young man, don't

you, Helen? I've often thought they only play at business."

66

"So have I often feared it," Helen responded, her hand trembling a little on Nora's arm; for disappointment was an old companion of hers, and she looked for his face when Nora had no thought even for his existence. "Will you ask next door if there is—anything the matter?" Why are they closed next door?" repeated the cheerful little watchmaker of whom Nora had asked this question, looking at her through the magnifying-glass which was fixed tightly in one eye. "Because they've failed-gone to the dogs-smashed up! What's the matter?” he added presently, rising from his stool and approaching Helen, while he dropped the glass, and gave his features a good deal of free play as a rest after their tension.

"If they have, as you say, failed," said Nora, steadily and gravely, while she supported Helen in her sudden tremor, "do you think they will never pay any more for work that has been ordered?"

"Never a penny. They've bolted. Won't you sit down and rest?"

"No," whispered Miss Archer, clinging more feebly to Nora. "Let us go home."

"We will have a cab," said Nora, without the slightest hesitation, when she saw Helen's nervous distress on passing into the street. "We shall be at home in a few minutes then. My dear, lean on me while I look for one; the standing will be a little rest."

So they stood where they were, forgetting what a glare there was upon them from the shop behind; and they waited, looking anxiously and gravely at every passing vehicle, and saying no word to each other of this new disappointment.

At last Nora lifted her hand, for a hansom cab was being driven up to them.

"It is occupied," whispered Helen, nervously and hurriedly drawing Nora back, as she became aware of some one leaning forward from the cab to scrutinize them, and then turning suddenly to order the horse to be stopped. "It is some one who sees we want

She had no need to finish her sentence or surmise. The cold proud whiteness of Nora's face, and the great fear, and yet greater daring, in her eyes, told Helen in a moment that Nora had recognised Dr. Armstrong even before he had stopped beside them.

CHAPTER V.

Little hand holding large hand pretty tight
For all its delicacy-eh, my lord?

ROBERT BROWNING.

TRENUOUSLY

STE

as Dr. Armstrong endeavoured to meet Nora without constraint, the effort was almost a failure. Though he advanced.to her and Miss Archer with a smile and a hand-shake for each, they both saw plainly that from that moment nothing would escape his furtive watchfulness; and though he very quietly expressed his pleasure at seeing them, there was a strong and suppressed self-gratulation in every word and glance.

"He was charmed," he said, in his clear and suave tones, to meet Miss Archer again, after having lost sight of her for so long. Indeed, it was a surprise to him even to have encountered

his own cousin unexpectedly after her voluntarily absenting herself; she was, he felt quite sure, enjoying her visit to her old friend. Still, had it not been rather a merciless whim to try to keep her retreat a secret? But he had no right to complain. Nora had acted with a little girlish wilfulness, that was all-charming wilfulness, which refreshed him; for if everybody always did what everybody else always expected, life would be but what the poet called a draught of dull complacency, and he, for one, had no relish for such a draught. Had Miss Archer been looking for a cab when he had had the privilege of recognising her? He had unfortunately only had a hansom at his disposal, else he would have retained his at her service."

Very quiet and cold, Nora stood through this elaborate speech; but at its close she spoke, in just her own fearless way, intercepting any reply Miss Archer could have made; while she pressed a little closer to her side the trembling hand she held upon her arm, as if fear had no power to touch her now, except through Helen. "I don't think a cab is necessary, after all, is it, Helen?" she asked. "We felt tired and idle just at that moment, but it is only a few minutes' walk to our station, and I am sure we