I'll bring you some dinner when I bring up Missis' tea, and not even Mrs.Jones will be any the wiser." "You're a brick, Elizabeth--a regular brick!" cried the young fellow, brightening up at the least relief.

"That will be capital .-- Get me a good slice of beef, or ham, or something.

And mind you, don't forget!--a regular stunning bottle of pale ale." "Very well, Sir." The acquiescence was somewhat sullen, and had he watched Elizabeth's face he might have seen there an expression not too flattering.

But she faithfully brought him his dinner, and kept his secret, even though, hearing from over the staircase Mrs.Jones resolutely deny that Mr.Leaf had been at home since morning, she felt very much as if she were conniving at a lie.

With a painful, half-guilty consciousness she waited for her mistress's usual question.