He had occupied the rooms on the first floor for about a year and a half.  Joseph Snowdon’s proposal to make him acquainted with Jane had not been carried out, Scawthorne deeming it impracticable; but when a year had gone by, and Scawthorne, as Joseph’s confidential correspondent, had still to report that Jane maintained herself in independence, he one day presented himself in Hanover Street, as a total stranger, and made inquiry about the rooms which a card told him were to let.  His improved position allowed him to live somewhat more reputably than in the Chelsea lodging, and Hanover Street would suit him well enough until he obtained the promised partnership.  Admitted as a friend to Mr. Percival’s house in Highbury, he had by this time made the acquaintance of Miss Lant, whom, by the exercise of his agreeable qualities, he one day led to speak of Jane Snowdon.  Miss Lant continued to see Jane, at long intervals, and was fervent in her praise as well as in compassionating the trials through which she had gone.  His position in Mr. Percival’s office of course made it natural that Scawthorne should have a knowledge of the girl’s story.  When he had established himself in Mrs. Byass’s rooms, he mentioned the fact casually to his friends, making it appear that, in seeking lodgings, he had come upon these by haphazard.

He could not but feel something of genuine interest in a girl who, for whatever reason, declined a sufficient allowance and chose to work for her living.  The grounds upon which Jane took this decision were altogether unknown to him until an explanation came from her father.  Joseph, when news of the matter reached him, was disposed to entertain suspicions; with every care not to betray his own whereabouts, he wrote to Jane, and in due time received a reply, in which Jane told him truly her reasons for refusing the money.  These Joseph communicated to Scawthorne, and the latter’s interest was still more strongly awakened.

He was now on terms of personal acquaintance, almost of friendship, with Jane.  Miss Lant, he was convinced, did not speak of her too praisingly.  Not exactly a pretty girl, though far from displeasing in countenance; very quiet, very gentle, with much natural refinement.  Her air of sadness—­by no means forced upon the vulgar eye, but unmistakable when you studied her—­was indicative of faithful sensibilities.  Scawthorne had altogether lost sight of Sidney Kirkwood and of the Hewetts; he knew they were all gone to a remote part of London, and more than this he had no longer any care to discover.  On excellent terms with his landlady, he skilfully elicited from her now and then a confidential remark with regard to Jane; of late, indeed, he had established something like a sentimental understanding with the good Bessie, so that, whenever he mentioned Jane, she fell into a pleasant little flutter, feeling that she understood what was in progress. . . .  Why not?—­he kept asking himself.  Joseph Snowdon (who addressed his letters to Hanover Street in a feigned hand) seemed to have an undeniable affection for the girl, and was constant in his promises of providing a handsome dowry.  The latter was not a point of such importance as a few years ago, but the dollars would be acceptable.  And then, the truth was, Scawthorne felt himself more and more inclined to put a certain question to Jane, dowry or none.