"Well—I'll see," said the girl rather brokenly. She had borne up bravely till now, but the prospect of parting from her protector and the coming plunge into the unknown were telling their tale. Suddenly she looked up.
"Jack," she whispered, "come with me!"
The two gazed at each other steadily. Never was there a more direct invitation, and no man knows what thoughts passed through Pip's heart, or how great the battle that was fought and won during that brief minute. At length he spoke.
"I am still your father's paid servant, and until I have seen him and thrown up my billet I must stay here."
Lottie bowed her head submissively. She knew her man.
"But I'll tell you what," continued Pip. "To-morrow I shall be in town. If you still want help, send a line to me at the Oxford and Cambridge Club, and I'll come to you."
"You promise?"
"I promise. But you must promise not to write unless you really need me."
Lottie, a little mystified, agreed.
Suddenly the red signal-light turned to green. The guard at the rear of the train broke off an engrossing conversation with the only porter, and waved his lantern. The engine gave a preliminary quiver.