"My brother! Which of them?"
"Mr. Isaac."
"Very considerate, I'm sure! seeing that I never do wait, and that if I did he would probably not come in."
There was a mocking tone in her voice that Anna rather winced at as applied to Isaac. She went on explaining where she saw him; that he and Richard had walked away together--she fancied to Tomlett's.
"They are a great deal too intimate with Tomlett," spoke Miss Thornycroft, curling her lip. "He is no better than a boatman. My belief is, they go and drink gin-and-water with him. They ought to have more pride."
"Mr. Richard said there was some 'bother.'"
"Oh! of course; any excuse before you. I tell you, Anna, they are just a couple of loose young men."
The "loose young men" came in shortly; Richard to go away again, Isaac to remain. He had told Mrs. Copp he would see her home safely. "Let it be by daylight, if you please," answered that discreet lady.
Not by daylight, but under the stars of the sweet summer's night, they went out. There was no one to see; the way was lonely; and Isaac drew Anna's hand within his arm for the first time, and kept it a prisoner.
"I must take care of you, Anna, as you are to become my own property."