CHAPTER VII.
A MANEUVER.
The gray twilight of a cold December afternoon was creeping over the village of S----, when Ada Harcourt left her seat by the window, where, the livelong day, she had sat stitching till her heart was sick and her eyes were dim.

On the faded calico lounge near the fire lay Mrs.Harcourt, who for several days had been unable to work on account of a severe cold which seemed to have settled in her face and eyes.
"There," said Ada, as she brushed from her gingham apron the bits of thread and shreds of cotton, "there, it is done at last, and now before it is quite dark I will take it home." "No, not to-night," said Mrs.Harcourt; "to-morrow will do just as well." "But, mother," answered Ada, "you know Mrs.Dayton always pays as soon as the work is delivered, and what I have finished will come to two dollars and a half, which will last a long time, and we shall not be obliged to take any from the sum laid by to pay our rent; besides, you have had nothing nourishing for a long time; so let me go, and on my way home I will buy you something nice for supper." Mrs.Harcourt said no more, but the tears fell from her aching eyes as she thought how hard her daughter was obliged to labor, now that she was unable to assist her.

In a moment Ada was in the street.

The little alley in which she lived was soon traversed, and she about turning into Main Street, when rapid footsteps approached her, and St.
Leon appeared at her side, saying, "Good evening, Miss Harcourt; allow me to relieve you of that bundle." And before she could prevent it he took from her hands the package, while he continued, "May I ask how far you are walking to-night ?" Ada hesitated a moment, but quickly forcing down her pride, she answered, "Only as far as Mr.Dayton's.

I am carrying home some work." "Indeed!" said he, "then I can have your company all the way, for I am going to inquire after Lizzie." They soon reached their destination, and their ring at the door was not, as usual, answered by Bridget but by Lucy herself, whose sweet smile, as she greeted St.Leon, changed into an angry scowl when she recognized his companion.
"Ada Harcourt!" said she, and Ada, blushing scarlet, began: "I have brought--" but she was interrupted by St.Leon, who handed Lucy the bundle, saying: "Here is your work, Miss Dayton, and I hope it will suit you, for we took a great deal of pains with it." Lucy tried to smile as she took the work, and then opening the parlor door she with one hand motioned St.Leon to enter, while with the other she held the hall door ajar, as if for Ada to depart.