with Miss Majendie is so manifestly unjust that he takes it hardly.
Has he not spent all this past week striving to open a way of escape
for her from the home she so detests! But, after all, how could she
know that?

"You have misunderstood me," says he calmly, gravely. "Far from
wishing you to deny yourself this concert, I am glad--glad from my
_heart_--that you are going to it--that some small pleasure has
fallen into your life. Your aunt's home is an unhappy one for you, I
know, but you should remember that even if--if you have got to stay
with her until you become your own mistress, still that will not be
forever."

"No, I shall not stay there for ever," says she slowly. "And so--you
really think----" she is looking very earnestly at him.

"I do, indeed. Go out--go everywhere--enjoy yourself, child, while
you can."

He lifts his hat and walks away.

"Who was that, dear?" asks Mrs. Constans, a pretty pale woman,
rushing out of the shop and into the carriage.

"My guardian--Mr. Curzon."

"Ah!" glancing carelessly after the professor's retreating figure.
"A youngish man?"

"No, old," says Perpetua, "at least, I think--do you know,"