Presently a servant came in and gave her a card.

"Say I am busy and can see no one now. I have to finish this article by
two o'clock."

The servant came back. The caller said she would only keep her a moment:
it was necessary she should see her.

The woman rose from her desk. "Tell the boy to wait. Ask the lady to come
in."

A young woman in a silk dress, with a cloak reaching to her feet, entered.
She was tall and slight, with fair hair.

"I knew you would not mind. I wished to see you so!"

The woman offered her a seat by the fire. "May I loosen your cloak?--the
room is warm."

"I wanted so to come and see you. You are the only person in the world who
could help me! I know you are so large, and generous, and kind to other
women!" She sat down. Tears stood in her large blue eyes: she was
pulling off her little gloves unconsciously.

"You know Mr.--" (she mentioned the name of a well-known writer): "I know
you meet him often in your work. I want you to do something for me!"

The woman on the hearth-rug looked down at her.

"I couldn't tell my father or my mother, or any one else; but I can tell