Clarion is a morning paper, and you never need Miss Dumont's services
after five o'clock, she could work a few hours in the office, earn a
small salary, and gain something in the way of an education also, if
she were ambitious enough to do so. Nearly all my early education
was gained as a printer. She tells me she is faulty in the matter of
spelling, and this would be excellent training for her. You have,
dear madam, inspired the girl with a desire for more knowledge, and I
hope you will let me carry on the good work you have begun."

Preston had approached the matter in a way that could not fail to
bring success--by flattering the vanity and pride of the Baroness.
So elated was she with the agreeable references to herself, that she
never suspected the young man's deep personal interest in the girl.
She believed in the beginning that he was showing Berene this kind
attention solely to please the mistress.

Berene entered the office as type-setter, and made such astonishing
progress that she was promoted to the position of proof-reader ere
six months had passed. And hour by hour, day by day, week by week,
the strange influence which she had exerted on her employer, from the
first moment of their meeting, grew and strengthened, until he
realised with a sudden terror that his whole being was becoming
absorbed by an intense passion for the girl.

Meantime the Baroness was growing embarrassing in her attentions.
The young man was not conceited, nor prone to regard himself as an
object of worship to the fair sex. He had during the first few
months believed the Baroness to be amusing herself with his society.
He had not flattered himself that a woman of her age, who had seen so
much of the world, and whose ambitions were so unmistakable, could