t now, so good-night!"

"What about that dress, miss?"

"I can't give it to you at present. I'll stow it away somewhere.
Good-night!"

Antonia closed the door behind her and ran downstairs. She must get the
thirty-two shillings from somewhere. To whom could she apply? She
suddenly found herself face to face with Sir John Thornton. An
inspiration seized her. She rushed up to him and took one of his hands.
He shuddered, but had the strength of mind to remain perfectly still.

"Can you lend me thirty-two shillings?" said Antonia. "You're as rich as
Croesus, so you won't mind. I'll pay it back to you a shilling a week
out of my dress allowance. Will you lend it? Say yes or no in a hurry,
please."

"Yes," said Sir John, "... with pleasure." He moved back a step or two.
"Here are two sovereigns," he said. "Pray don't mind the change. The
change doesn't matter, I assure you. Oh, any time, of course, as regards
repayment. I am happy to oblige you." He dropped the sovereigns into
Antonia's large palm and prepared to fly.

"You are happy to oblige me?" she said with a sort of gasp. "Oh, do stay
just a single moment. You have made me very happy. Thirty-two shillings
must go for a special purpose, but eight blessed shillings remain. Don't
you really want the change? May I really borrow the change?"

"Most certainly. I am rather in a hurry."

"I'd kiss you, but you wouldn't like it," said Antonia. "These eight
shillings mean--do you know what they mean?"

"If they make you happy, my dear young lady, that is enough for me."

"They do, they do! Cobalt ... Indian red ... rose madder ... burnt
sienna ... canvasses ... a new flat brush for the skies ... some drawing
pins--Oh, he's gone! Dear old man. What an affliction I was to him; but
how triumphant I feel!"

CHAPTER XXVII.

NELL IS IN TROUBLE.

All Antonia's plans were carried into effect. She paid Mrs. Martin
thirty-two shillings and gave the old woman her address in town, begging
of her to forward the ring there without an hour's delay. In due course
it arrived, and Annie had it once more in her possession. Poor Annie
turned pale when Antonia put the little box which contained it into her
hand.

"I could cry as well as laugh," she said, looking at Antonia with tears
springing to her eyes. "I have not behaved well about this ring, and I
ought not to have it back like this. I ought to be properly punished. It
does not seem fair that I should have the ring ret