"Who ever leaves the house--if but for a moment--never returns." "And when do you close it, father ?" asked Amabel.
"A week hence," replied the grocer; "as soon as I have laid in a sufficient stock of provisions." "And am I not to leave the house for a year ?" cried Amabel, with a dissatisfied look.
"Why should you wish to leave it ?" asked her father, curiously.
"Ay, why ?" repeated Leonard, in a low tone.

"I shall be here." Amabel seemed confused, and looked from her father to Leonard.

The former, however, did not notice her embarrassment, but observed to Hodges--"I shall begin to victual the house to-morrow." "Amabel," whispered Leonard, "you told me if I claimed your hand in a month, you would yield it to me.

I require the fulfilment of your promise." "Give me till to-morrow," she replied, distractedly.
"She has seen Rochester," muttered the apprentice, turning away.
II.
IN WHAT MANNER THE GROCER VICTUALLED HIS HOUSE.
Leonard Holt was wrong in his suspicions.

Amabel had neither seen nor heard from Rochester.