"I hope you'll be happy, Esther, but I don't think we shall see much more of each other. 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."