"No, no, you can't stay to-night, I know that, my dear; but still I should be sorry for you to lose this fortune when you are willing to get it."
While she was speaking the woman took down her bonnet and shawl from the peg and put them on. "I'll walk back with you," she said; "for it's hardly safe for a pretty girl like you to be so late. And as we go along, we'll think of a plan to meet again; for I take a great interest in young people, 'specially them as are the favourites of the stars, as you are."
"I expect I shall catch it when I get home," said Lizzie, looking round the lighted fair as they stepped out beside the wax-work show.
"Never mind, my dear, it won't be for long," said Mrs. Stanley; "the stars speak plain enough on that. You've but a short time to be in service, that's plainly writ—over six months I should say, but under a year."
"Then it won't be long," said Lizzie in a relieved tone; "for I've been out ten months."
"Ah! I thought it was about that time Jupiter indicated, and I should say it'll end in a few days now."
"The sooner the better," said the girl; "for I hate service."
"Of course you do, my dear; the fortune that hangs over you won't let you settle to it as other girls can. And now let us see about our meeting again. I suppose you won't be able to get out any more this week?"
"Not till Sunday," replied Lizzie with a sigh.
The woman reiterated it. "That's awkward," she said; "for I shall be miles away from here by that time."