``By no means,'' said Mr. Wharton, as thehousekeeper was about to withdraw; ``don't imagine youare intruding. Come in and sit down.''

　　``Thank you, sir,'' said Mrs. Bradley, in ameasured tone. ``You are very considerate, I am sure,but if you'll excuse me, I won't come in this evening.''

　　``Mrs. Bradley has been with me a good manyyears,'' explained Mr. Wharton, ``and I dare say shefeels a little disturbed at seeing another occupy herplace, even in a duty like this.''

　　``I am afraid she will be offended with me, sir,''

　　said Frank.

　　``Oh, no; I will explain matters to her. Go onwith your reading, Frank.''

　　At half-past nine, Mr. Wharton took out his watch.

　　``It is getting late,'' he said. ``I have no doubt youare tired and need rest.''

　　``I am not tired, sir.''

　　``I believe in going to bed early. I shall seldomkeep you later than this. Do you think you can findyour way out?''

　　``Yes, sir. When shall I come to-morrow evening?''

　　``A little before eight.''

　　``I will be punctual.''

　　Jasper was waiting for him, not wholly withoutanxiety, for it was very unusual for Frank to be late.

　　``Well, Frank!'' he exclaimed; ``this is a prettytime for you to come home. I began to think youhad got into trouble. I was just going around to thenearest station house in search of you.''

　　``I was in quite a different place, Jasper.''

　　Frank told his story, including an account of hisengagement.

　　``So it seems I am to lose your company in theevening. I am sorry for that, but I am glad you areso lucky.''

　　``It was better than I expected,'' said Frank, withsatisfaction.

　　``What sort of a man is this Mr. Wharton?'' saidJasper.

　　``He is very kind and generous. I am lucky tohave so good a friend. There's only one thing thatis likely to be disagreeable.''

　　``What's that?''

　　``The housekeeper--her name is Mrs. Bradley--for some reason or other she doesn't want me there.''

　　``What makes you think so?''

　　``Her manner, and the way she speaks. She camein to read to Mr. Wharton last evening, and didn'tseem to like it because I had been taken in her place.''

　　``She is evidently jealous. You must take care notto offend her. She might endeavor to have you dismissed.''

　　``I shall always treat her politely, but I don't thinkI can ever like her.''

　　Meanwhile, the housekeeper, on leaving thelibrary, had gone to her own room in dudgeon.

　　``Mr. Wharton's a fool!'' she muttered to herself.

　　``What possessed him to take this cash-boy from thestreets, invite him to dinner, and treat him as anhonored guest, and finally to engage him as a reader?

　　I never heard of anything so ridiculous! Is this littlevagabond to take my place in the old man's goodgraces? I've been slaving and slaving for twentyyears, and what have I got by it? I've laid up twothousand dollars; and what is that to provide formy old age? If the old man would die, and rememberme handsomely in his will, it would be worthwhile; but this new favorite may stand in my way.

　　If he does I'll be revenged on him as sure as my nameis Ulrica Bradley.''

　　Here the area bell rang, and in a moment one ofthe housemaids entered Mrs. Bradley's room.

　　``There's your nephew outside, ma'am, and wantingto see you.''

　　``Tell him to come in,'' and the housekeeper's coldface became softer and pleasanter in aspect as ayoung man of twenty entered and greeted her carelessly.

　　``How are you, aunt?''

　　``Pretty well, Thomas,'' she answered. ``Youhaven't been here for some time.''

　　``No. I've had a lot of work to do. Noth............