Helen screamed faintly. Her call was instantly answered.
“Leave this young lady alone,” said a manly voice, the owner of which seized Mr. Albert Grover with a vigorous grasp.
“Who are you?” demanded the young man endeavoring, but without success, to free himself from his unexpected assailant.
“What you do not appear to be,” was the prompt reply, “a gentleman. Are you not ashamed to annoy a defenceless girl?”
“I only meant to see her home,” was the sulky reply.
“You can spare yourself the trouble. I will undertake that duty.”
“O Mr. Coleman, how glad I am you came up!” said Helen, clinging to her new protector, in whom the reader has already recognized the opposite lodger.
“So am I. But, Miss Ford, do you know how imprudent it is for you to be out at this hour alone?”
“I suppose it is,” said Helen; “but I don’t know what else to do. Martha Grey used to come for me, but I found it was too much for her. Papa would come, but he works so hard that I don’t think he ought to come. And there is no one else.”
“I see how it is,” said the young man. “I shall come for you myself.”