When the time came to go, Mary referred to her connection with the
Settlement work in the course of the few minutes' further conversation
which they had together. Miss Burke expressed so lively an interest in
this that it was agreed before they parted that the schoolmistress
should pay Mary a visit some day later in the week, with the twofold
object of taking tea with the two orphans and of being shown the
workings of the establishment.

At this subsequent interview, the two young women chatted briskly in a
cosey corner. Each found the other sympathetic, despite Mary's secret
prejudice; and it happened presently that Miss Burke, whose
countenance now and again had seemed a little pensive, as though she
had something on her mind, said after a pause:

"I'd like to ask your advice about something, Miss Wellington, if you
don't object."

Mary thought she knew what was coming, surprising as it was to be
consulted. She smiled encouragingly.

"It's about a gentleman friend of mine," continued Miss Burke, with
rising color, "who wishes me to marry him. Perhaps you have heard of
him," she added with a suggestion of furtive pride. "His name is Jim
Daly."

"I know all about him."

Miss Burke was evidently not prepared for such a sweeping answer. "You
know what he did, then?" she asserted after a moment's hesitation.