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.  A tear trembled on Ada’s long eyelashes, as she timidly asked;

“Can I see your grandmother?”

“Mrs. Dayton, I presume you mean,” said Lucy haughtily.

Ada bowed and Lucy continued:  “She is not at home just at present.”

“Perhaps, then, you can pay me for the work,” said Ada.

The scowl on Lucy’s face grew darker as she replied, “I have nothing to do with grandma’s hired help.  Come to-morrow and she will be here.  How horridly cold this open door makes the hall!”

Ada thought of the empty cupboard at home, and of her pale, sick mother.  Love for her conquered all other feeling, and in a choking voice she said, “Oh, Miss Dayton, if you will pay it you will confer a great favor on me, for mother is sick, and we need it so much!”

There was a movement in the parlor.  St. Leon was approaching, and with an impatient gesture Lucy opened the opposite door, saying to Ada, “Come in here.”

The tone was so angry that, under any other circumstances, Ada would have gone away.  Now, however, she entered, and Lucy, taking out her purse, said, “How much is the sum about which you make so much fuss?”

“Two dollars and a half,” answered Ada.

“Two dollars and a half,” repeated Lucy, and then, as a tear fell from Ada’s eye, she added contemptuously, “It is a small amount to cry about.”

Ada made no reply, and was about leaving the room when Lucy detained her, by saying, “Pray, did you ask Mr. St. Leon to accompany you here and bring your bundle?”

“Miss Dayton, you know better—­you know I did not,” answered Ada, as the fire of insulted pride flashed from her dark blue eyes, which became almost black, while her cheek grew pale as marble.

Instantly Lucy’s manner changed, and in a softened tone she said, “I am glad to know that you did not; and now, as a friend, I warn you against receiving any marks of favor from St. Leon.”