and you cannot imagine the difficulties I have overcome.  But if I go away from this house, and leave you so lonely, living such a hard life, there will be very little satisfaction for me in my success.  Let me try to make for you a happiness such as you merit.  It may seem as if we were very slightly acquainted, but I know you well enough to esteem you more highly than any women I ever met, and if you could but think of me—­’

He was sincere.  Jane had brought out the best in him.  With the death of Snowdon all his disreputable past seemed swept away, and he had no thought of anything but a decent rectitude, a cleanly enjoyment of existence, for the future. but Jane was answering: 

’I can’t change what I said before, Mr. Scawthorne.  I am very content to live as I do now.  I have friends I am very fond of.  Thank you for your kindness—­but I can’t change.’

Without intending it, she ceased upon a word which to her hearer conveyed a twofold meaning.  He understood; offer what he might, it could not tempt her to forget the love which had been the best part of her life.  She was faithful to the past, and unchanging.

Mrs. Byass never suspected the second purpose for which her lodger had desired to speak with Jane this evening.  Scawthorne in due time took his departure, with many expressions of goodwill, many assurances that nothing could please him better than to be of service to Bessie and her husband.

‘He wished me to say good-bye to you for him,’ said Bessie, when Jane came back from her work.

So the romance in her life was over.  Michael Snowdon’s wealth had melted away; with it was gone for ever the hope of realising his high projects.  All passed into the world of memory, of dream—­all save the spirit which had ennobled him, the generous purpose bequeathed to those two hearts. which had loved him best.

To his memory all days were sacred; but one, that of his burial, marked itself for Jane as the point in each year to which her life was directed, the saddest, yet bringing with it her supreme solace.

A day in early spring, cloudy, cold.  She left the workroom in the dinner-hour, and did net return.  But instead of going to Hanover Street, she walked past Islington Green, all along Essex Road, northward thence to Stoke Newington, and so came to Abney Park Cemetery; a long way, but it did not weary her.

In the cemetery she turned her steps to a grave with a, plain headstone.  Before leaving England, Joseph Snowdon had discharged this duty.  The inscription was simply a name, with dates of birth and death.

And, as she stood there, other footsteps approached the spot.  She looked up, with no surprise, and gave her hand for a moment.  On the first anniversary the meeting had been unanticipated; the same thought led her and Sidney to the cemetery at the same hour.  This was the third year, and they met as if by understanding, though neither had spoken of it.