No wonder I looked foolish. Sophy was not looking at me, that was one comfort. She was busy arranging a nosegay of wood-anemone and wild sorrel.

‘Miss Horsman came up, with her curious eyes.

‘“I had no idea things were far enough advanced for you to be purchasing a work-table, Mr Harrison.”

‘I laughed off my awkwardness.

‘“Did not you, Miss Horsman? You are very much behindhand. You have not heard of my piano, then?”

‘“No, indeed,” she said, half uncertain whether I was serious or not. “Then it seems there is nothing wanting but the lady.”

‘“Perhaps she may not be wanting either,” said I, for I wished to perplex her keen curiosity.

Chapter XVI

‘WHEN I GOT home from my round, I found Mrs Rose in some sorrow.

‘“Miss Horsman called after you left,” said she. “Have you heard how John Brouncker is at Highport?”

‘“Very well,” replied I. “I called on his wife just now, and she had just got a letter from him. She had been anxious about him, for she had not heard for a week. However, all’s right now; and she has pretty well of work at Mrs Munton’s, as her servant is ill. Oh, they’ll do, never fear.”

‘“At Mrs Munton’s? Oh, that accounts for it, then. She is so deaf, and makes such blunders.”

‘“Accounts for what?” asked I.

‘“Oh, perhaps I had better not tell you,” hesitated Mrs Rose.

‘“Yes, tell me at once. I beg your pardon, but I hate mysteries.”

‘“You are so like my poor dear Mr Rose. He used to speak to me just in that sharp, cross way. It is only that Miss Horsman called. She had been making a collection for John Brouncker’s widow, and –’

‘“But the man’s alive!” said I.

‘“So it seems. But Mrs Munton had told her that he was dead. And she has got Mr Morgan’s name down at the head of the list, and Mr Bullock’s.”

‘Mr Morgan and I had got into a short, cool way of speaking to each other ever since we had differed so much about the treatment of Brouncker’s arm; and I had heard once or twice of his shakes of the head over John’s case. He would not have spoken against my method for the world, and fancied that he concealed his fears.

‘“Miss Horsman is very ill-natured, I think,” sighed forth Mrs Rose.

‘I saw that something had been said of which I had not heard, for the mere fact of collecting money for the widow was good-natured, whoever did it; so I asked, quietly, what she had said.

‘“Oh, I don’t know if I should tell you. I only know she made me cry; for I’m not well, and I can’t bear to hear any one that I live with abused.”

‘Come! this was pretty plain.

‘“What did Miss Horsman say of me?” asked I, half laughing, for I knew there was no love lost between us.

‘“Oh, she only said she wondered you could go to sales, and spend your money there, when your ignorance had made Jane Brouncker a widow, and her children fatherless.”

‘“Pooh! pooh! John’s alive, and likely to live as long as you or I, thanks to you, Mrs Rose.”

‘When my work-table came home, Mrs Rose was so struck with its beauty and completeness, and I was so much obliged to her for her identification of my interests with hers, and the kindness of her whole conduct about John, that I begged her to accept of it. She seemed very much pleased; and, after a few apologies, she consented to take it, and placed it in the most conspicuous part of the front parlour, where she usually sat. There was a good deal of morning calling in Duncombe after the sale, and during this time the fact of John being alive was established to the conviction of all except Miss Horsman, who, I believe, still doubted. I myself told Mr Morgan, who immediately went to reclaim his money; saying to me, that he was thankful of the information; he was truly glad to hear it; and he shook me warmly by the hand for the first time for a month.

Chapter XVII

‘A FEW DAYS after the sale, I was in the consulting-room. The servant must have left the folding-doors a little ajar, I think. Mrs Munton came to call on Mrs Rose; and the former being deaf, I heard all the speeches of the latter lady, as she was obliged to speak very loud in order to be heard. She began:

‘“This is a great pleasure, Mrs Munton, so seldom as you are well enough to go out.”

‘Mumble, mumble, mumble, through the door.

‘“Oh, very well, thank you. Take this seat, and then you can admire my new work-table, ma’am; a present from Mr Harrison.”

‘Mumble, mumble.

‘“Who could have told you, ma’am? Miss Horsman? Oh, yes, I showed it Miss Horsman.”

‘Mumble, mumble.

‘“I don’t quite understand you, ma’am.”

‘Mumble, mumble.

‘“I am not blushing, I believe. I really am quite in the dark as to what you mean.”

‘Mumble, mumble.

‘“Oh, yes, Mr Harrison and I are most comfortable together. He reminds me so of my dear Mr Rose – just as fidgety and anxious in his profession.”

‘Mumble, mumble.

‘“I’m sure you are joking now, ma’am.” Then I heard a pretty loud –

‘“Oh, no;” mumble, mumble, mumble, for a long time.

‘“Did he really? Well, I’m sure I don’t know. I should be sorry to think he was doomed to be unfortunate in so serious an affair; but you know my undying regard for the late Mr Rose.”

‘Another long mumble.

‘“You’re very kind, I’m sure. Mr Rose always thought more of my happiness than his own” – a little crying – “but the turtle-dove has always been my ideal, ma’am.”

‘Mumble, mumble.

‘“No one could have been happier than I.