You know that I do not frequent public-houses."
"Yes, I know; but you might come and see me in the morning when we're
doing no business."
Fred smiled sadly.
"Then you won't come?" she said.
"Good-bye, Esther."
They shook hands, and he went out hurriedly. She dashed a tear from her
eyes, and went upstairs to her mistress, who had rung for her.
Miss Rice was in her easy-chair, reading. A long, slanting ray entered the
room; the bead curtain glittered, and so peaceful was the impression that
Esther could not but perceive the contrast between her own troublous life
and the contented privacy of this slender little spinster's.
"Well, miss," she said, "it's all over. I've told him."
"Have you, Esther?" said Miss Rice. Her white, delicate hands fell over
the closed volume. She wore two little colourless rings and a ruby ring
which caught the light.
"Yes, miss, I've told him all. He seemed a good deal cut up. I couldn't
help crying myself, for I could have made him a good wife--I'm sure I
could; but it wasn't to be."
"You've told him you were going off to live with William?"
"Yes, miss; there's nothing like telling the whole truth while you're
about it. I told him I was going off to-night."
"He's a very religious young man?"
"Yes, miss; he spoke to me about religion, but I told him I didn't want
Jackie to be a fatherless boy, and to lose any money he might have a right
to.
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