'Of course you can have a companion if you like, Mildred; but I
thought you were going to marry Alfred Stanby?'

'You objected to him; you said he had nothing--that he couldn't afford
to marry.'

'Yes, until he got his appointment; but I hear now that he's nearly
certain of it.'

'I don't think I could marry Alfred.'

'You threw Lumly over, who was an excellent match, for Alfred. So long
as Alfred wasn't in a position to marry you, you would hear of no one
else, and now--but you don't mean to say you are going to throw him
over.'

'I don't know what I shall do.'

'Well, I have no time to discuss the matter with you now. It is seven
minutes to nine. I shall only have just time to catch the train by
walking very fast. Good-bye.'

'Please, mam, any orders to-day for the butcher?'

'Always the same question--how tired I am of hearing the same words. I
suppose it is very wicked of me to be so discontented,' thought
Mildred, as she sat on the sofa with her key-basket in her hand; 'but
I have got so tired of Sutton. I know I shouldn't bother Harold; he is
very good and he does his best to please me. It is very odd. I was all