"No, thanks; I am used to it. I'll just walk up and down, to keep from freezing."
"Perhaps you had better not try to see him to-night, it is so cold."
"Not try to see him!" she exclaimed. "I see him too seldom, and love him too much for that," she said, pathetically, "and I must see if he will promise me to come no more where neither of us is wanted."
"Remember! you are to be here to-morrow night to tell us your hold on him, unless he gives Mrs. Gower up," he said, firmly.
"I will, sir; thank you both," she said tearfully, as, turning towards the gate of Holmnest, they each slip a five dollar bill into her hand.
"Poor thing, I think she is hard up," said Mrs. Dale, as they ring the bell; "see her examining the bills by the lamp."
"Yes, so she is, to see if they are 'Central'; had she not been sold by my béte noir, I should say she was a canny Scotchwoman."
On Thomas opening the door, they see Mr. Cobbe draw close the portière hangings of the library, as if to say, no admittance.
"Have you a match, Thomas?"
"Yes, ma'am."