Edith noticed the movement, and though she could scarcely repress a smile, she felt considerably annoyed.

Managers had of late been wont to come to her hat in hand, fawning, petitioning, and manageresses also had lauded, applauded, and entreated, while she looked on amused, unmoved, steadily following the path she had marked out for herself, and which already had led her to the highway of fame.

Now the positions were reversed; and the actress, knowing that it was her turn to demand, perchance to entreat, felt herself to be at a disadvantage, and realised that the task she had undertaken was an extremely irksome one. But this disagreeable fact, instead of causing her to waver, instantly strengthened her determination. Difficulties

stimulated, they never disheartened Edith Eliot; and the happy knowledge that she was working for the good of a helpless friend lent additional zest to her undertaking.

Mrs. Powell, meanwhile, was fuming and fretting. She construed Miss Eliot's silence and reserve as insults to her personal dignity and importance.

To mark her dis

pleasure she rose, drew herself up to her full height, wrapped the quilted dressing-gown closely about her, and shook her head with the air of desperate resolution which. she had often seen and admired as practised by tragic heavies on the stage.

Edith watched her, wondering a little; but very justly concluded that stage tricks were as easily caught and imitated as any other vagaries of speech or manner.

We all know, Mrs. Powell, how clever and how successful a manageress you are,' said Edith, when she had resolved on the likeliest mode of attack; and there are occasions when I might desire to ask you for information or advice,

which I am sure you would give me willingly and generously. It is not in your capacity as manageress I would appeal to you to-day, however, but rather to the kind womanly heart which beats in your bosorn.'

Edith certainly was a consummate actress, and never had she played her part more earnestly or with greater feeling.

Mrs. Powell turned her peony face towards the speaker in undisguised amazement. This encomium did not in the least tally with what she had imagined to be the object of her visitor's coming.

'You are really too kind, Miss Eliot,' she said doubtfully. She was fully determined not to commit herself in any way.

'That is just what I want you to prove yourself, dear Mrs. Powell,' said Edith, with her rare sweet smile, the smile that no one could resist, and under the influence of which even Mrs. Powell forgot her misgivings for a moment.

'Little Miss Trevor, Mr. Hall's stepdaughter, came to me in great distress last night,' resumed Edith, speaking with her wonted impressive dignity. She has told me her story, poor child; it is a sad one, I assure you; and her mother, who would wish to be considered a very fine lady, does not play a creditable part in it. Nell certainly has been very unhappy at home of late, and with reason. will not trouble you with the details, Mrs. Powell, as that would be wasting your valuable time. You will, I am sure, believe me when I tell you that there is only one way to help this poor child to right herself in the sea of troubles which seems threatening to overwhelm her at this moment.'

I

Edith spoke impressively, almost appealingly, but ere she had time to frame the request she was now so anxious to make, Mrs. Powell

stopped her with a sudden gesture of angry protest.

'I see I see it all now, Miss Eliot,' she cried, waxing more indignant as she found a vent for her anger in speech. Before you demean yourself by saying another word, I warn you that you've come to the wrong person to try your undermining tricks. Bessy Powell isn't quite such a flat as you may have took her for, and you may put your disappointment in your pocket as soon as you like. I see what you're after, and I'm not going to stand it, I tell you. Do you suppose I shall give little Hall leave to spoil our new play by crying off as soon as she has made a hit in it? Do you think I don't see through the stakes you are holding over this affair? Of course I do; and I'm fully aware that you are envious of my success, and that you want to entice away the most promising youngster I've had for a long time, just as she's fairly started here. I thank you for the compliment, and for your kind intentions, Miss Eliot; and I also beg to decline the honour you have wished to do little Miss Hall and me, in her name as well as my own.'

Edith rose in silence and quietly moved towards the door; but even as she touched the handle of it, the better nature of the angry woman subdued the momentary passion which had mastered it. She jumped up from the sofa, rushed across the room, and laying her hands on Edith's, detained the latter, while she most humbly apologised for the unpardonable outbreak of temper into which she had been betrayed.

Hasty, I am; and, took of a sudden, quite wild-like,' she admitted, with humble if ungrammatical candour; but there, I don't mean no harm, and what's more to the purpose, it don't last, as you see.'

Edith did see, and not having swerved from her purpose for a single moment, instantly resolved to profit by the sudden reaction in the manageress's varying mood.

After a storm comes a calm.

For dear friendless Nell's sake, Edith determined to catch the manageress's better temper in the rebound after the explosion, and quietly told such parts of her protégée's history as seemed likely to interest and touch the womanly sympathy of rough and honest Bessy Powell, who though uncul tivated was not heartless.

So thoroughly was the manageress carried away by the able pleading of her eloquent visitor, that the latter carried her point

nem. con.

Once convinced and inclined to yield, Mrs. Powell, who never did things by halves, gave Miss Eliot full and free permission to act just as seemed best to her for all parties concerned. And it is only fair to state that everything was arranged successfully, and in the end gave general satisfaction.

How Mrs. Blenkinsop scowled and growled, how Mr. Blenkinsop was nagged at and bullied, the reader will be able to imagine; but it may not occur to those who are non-professional to think of the wonderful opportunity Nell's sudden leave-taking gave to Miss Nora Lee, whose subsequent career has fully justified the high estimation in which Miss Eliot held her; and who, but for this unexpected introduction to the London stage, might still be only a member of a travelling company; whereas she is now fairly established as second lady in one of the leading theatres of the metropolis.

CHAPTER XXIX.

TEMPTATION.

BEFORE going to Leicester-square, where she had so successfully pleaded her friend's cause, Miss Eliot had driven to the Great Western Station with Nell.

The actress, who had a thoughtful mind as well as a kind heart, felt sure that her protégée would be happier after a personal interview with her stepfather. He certainly had always been most kind and affectionate to her. When she was still a child he had ministered to her wants and her pleasures with truly paternal patience and indulgence. And since she had learnt to think and judge for herself, his steadfast example, his unwavering adherence to what he called duty (a term which with him embraced every detail of life), his patience and perseverance under all circumstances, however trying or disappointing the momentary experience might be,-these were the qualities Nell, eagerly sympathetic and thoroughly approving, had seen him develop day after day, and for which she had learnt to admire and to love him heartily.

'If I could only see father for half an hour, he would understand and help me. I know him, and I am sure he will advise just what is right and best for all of us.'

So Nell declared most impressively. Indeed she was so thoroughly convinced herself, that she even managed to imbue Miss Eliot with her touching confidence, and this was a decided triumph; for Edith's experience of the mothers and fathers connected with professional life had not been an edifying one, and had taught her that wealthy husbands were looked upon as such rara aves, that should one by a lucky chance be caught, no trouble should ever be spared to

secure him at any risk, hazard, or sacrifice.

The young and pretty daughter was the bait, of course; and any monster, however repulsive, would be welcomed with open arms by the ambitious parents, if only he possessed the one desideratum— wealth.

Such disheartening experiences had made Miss Eliot very sceptical where parental affection was concerned; but she believed implicitly in Nell. Indeed, the girl's perfect sincerity carried conviction with it; and the excellent opinion she had of honest John Hall so far influenced the actress, that she was willing to grant her little friend the opportunity of consulting him, which Nell so earnestly desired; but even while the actress proposed to drive her protégée to the station, her heart misgave her at the thought of sending poor Nell off again unprotected; and had it not been for the urgent letter written to make an appointment with Mrs. Powell -an appointment of vital importance to Nell herself-Edith at the last moment would have altered her plans, taken a ticket, and accompanied the child to Silverbeach.

As it was, she saw her safely bestowed in a first-class carriage, in which she was the only passenger; and bidding her take every care of herself and return to Eversfieldroad as speedily as possible, Edith reluctantly left the platform just as the warning-bell was being vigorously rung by a most energetic porter.

Several persons rushed on to the platform at this final moment.

Where do all the people come from who arrive only just in time to catch a train as it is actually starting? Among these, on this occasion, was a young man, who hurried along in such a whirlwind of excitement, that he literally but

ted against Miss Eliot, who was tranquilly making her way out through the booking-office. She scarcely heard, and did not heed, his muttered apology; nor did she catch sight of his face; if she had done so, Mrs. Powell might have completed her toilette at leisure, for Edith most certainly would not have allowed Nell to proceed alone on her journey by a train in which Jack Clifford was a passenger.

He, as we know, had received a command from fair Rosamond to come to Slough that morning; and although he at first rebelled at what he considered the young lady's caprice, he did not for an instant waver in his intention to obey the arbitrary summons.

Thus it happened that he arrived at the Great Western just as the train in which Nell was a passenger was starting, and (was this chance or fate?) that the flurried porter, crying, 'Make haste-jump in, sir! opened the door of the compartment Nell occupied.

It was not until the train had moved out of the station, that Jack, having ensconced himself in the farthest corner of the carriage, glanced across at his fellow-pas

senger.

She sat still, pale and silent. She had, of course, recognised him instantly; and though a crimson flush mounted to the very roots of his hair as he exclaimed, 'You here, Nell? she betrayed neither surprise nor agitation.

The last few weeks had taught her some very difficult lessons of self-control, and she had learnt them aptly indeed. Her indifference stung him to the quick. He was piqued, wounded. The memory of the pangs of jealousy he had endured in watching her on the Embankment last night recurred to him, and filled him with irrepressible anger.

'I suppose you are on your way

to Silverbeach?' said he curtly, suspiciously.

'I am,' she replied quietly. 'I have to speak to father about something important. He is at work there, you know.'

'What happened between you and Sir Hercules on the Embankment last night, Nell?' asked Jack, coming over to her end of the carriage and seating himself directly opposite to her.

He spoke hurriedly, fiercely. At this moment he was perhaps more completely in earnest than he had ever been in his short frivolous life. The pangs of mortification and jealousy he had suffered last night, added to the pain he had previously endured, when he felt he was bidding adieu to the purest, the best, the only noble woman he had ever known,-all these novel sensations had combined to endue his volatile sentiments with quite an astounding weight and steadfastness. Even the bitter drops of doubt and distrust which Mrs. Blenkinsop had so wickedly thrown into the cup of his loyal admiration gave a certain zest and piquancy to his reviving passion for Nell, which, had she known, she would have bitterly resented.

She had been watching his changing expression with some anxiety. The deep interest aroused in his mind was plainly visible in his face; and the flush on his cheek, the light in his eyes, made him look handsomer than ever.

Nell grew paler and paler. She felt faint and giddy, so powerful was her emotion, so strong was the battle between duty and inclination raging in her young breast.

She longed to hear him whisper some words of love again; she longed to feel the close warm pressure of his strong arms about her; she longed to give him one more kiss-ah, only one, and this should surely be the last.

He bade her 'farewell' the other night; but then she had said nothing. Now she would love to say, 'God bless you, Jack, and keep you well and happy!

It is fortunate for her, poor child, that Jack has not the remotest suspicion of the thoughts surging through her heart and brain.

He is chafing at her protracted silence. He feels hurt and angry. At one moment he is tempted to repeat all Mrs. Blenkinsop's taunts, insinuations, ay, even her most insulting words, so anxious is he to elicit some expression of feeling from this silent and apparently indifferent girl. Then he inclines to declaring his fervid, his unconquerable passion to her, mingled with the furious jealousy and futile anger with which Sir Hercules has distracted him.

As often happens, when one is making elaborate resolutions about the next sentence it may be advisable to utter, wholly unpremeditated words escaped Jack's lips before he voluntarily opened them.

'It was too bad of you to choose the very seat we had occupied together to listen to your new-confound him!-your importunate old lover, Nell' he exclaimed, in sudden fury; but scarcely had he uttered the angry words when his tone changed completely; he threw himself on the floor at her feet, buried his face in the hands which rested on her lap, and in a voice broken by tears, he cried,

'O Nell, how could you torture me so! I had begged, implored you to let me walk home with you once again-perhaps for the very last time from the Sphere; and you went off without one word, and clung to that old villain's arm in the most confiding manner, and looked up into his face with such sweet smiles on your own, while I -O, I so badly wanted to talk to

you, to ask your advice, to consult you, my wise, my beautiful darling!

He was really sobbing now, and she, poor child, to whom a man's tears, instead of being signs of weakness, seemed a revelation of marvellous tenderness and unutterable anguish-she felt her woman's heart beating wildly within her bosom. Love and pity throbbed in her veins and moistened her eyes.

'For pity's sake don't-don't grieve so, Jack! she implored. Indeed, indeed, I cannot bear it.'

'Then you are not quite hardened, quite indifferent, my darling?' he asked, taking her little hands into his and kissing them eagerly.

'Do sit down, Jack,' she entreated; and if you really have anything you wish to talk to or consult me about, let me know it now, for to-morrow I hope I shall be many miles away from London and all-all this misery.'

'Away, away from London ?' he asked, making an effort to speak quietly, and proving his desire to obey her by resuming the seat opposite to her.

She watched him, striving on her part to remain calm, and what he had previously described as sensible.

'You said misery just now, Nell, and looked at me as if I had caused it,' he presently resumed, vainly striving to meet her eyes, which she, in self-defence, kept resolutely turned away from his too tender glance. 'Tell me, is it on my account you are leaving town? Is it my fault? Am I at all to blame ?'

She sat silent again, perplexed and utterly miserable, as she realised the awful power this man's eyes and voice still had over her.

He was quick to note the pain and deprecation in her face.

A new idea occurred to him.