"Then what are you crying for?"
"Oh, Sir, you know!" 1 said, with involuntary emotion.
"The old story, eh?" He walked up and down the room with his coat hanging half off from one arm; then suddenly stopping before me, he said: "Since you will be a fool, why be one and have your way. That friend of yours has not yet left Leigh; if he will come here, and comply with a condition that I shall exact, he may take you with him when and for as long as he likes."
I could scarcely believe my senses. I gazed incredulously at Mr. Thornton, who told me not to be bewildered, but see about it. I needed no second bidding, and ran out of the room at once. I met Charlotte on the staircase.
"Charlotte," I said, breathlessly, "can you take a letter for me to Leigh immediately?"
Before the girl could answer, Mrs. Marks, standing on the landing where I had first seen her, chose to interfere.
"Charlotte must get Mr Thornton's dinner ready," she said, majestically.
"Very well," I replied more quietly; "Richard can do it."
"Richard is out," she observed with evident satisfaction.
"Then I can do it myself," I said impatiently.