m, and
Hinton found himself in the position of good angel to this poor family.
He had never supposed himself capable of taking such a post with regard
to any one; but the thing seemed thrust upon him. An obvious duty had
come into his life, and he never even for the briefest instant dreamed
of shirking it. He was a man without physical fear. The hardships of
life, the roughing of poverty were not worth a passing thought of
annoyance; but there was one little act of self-denial which he must now
exercise; and it is to be owned that he felt it with a heart-pang. He
had never told Charlotte that he was going to live in the house with
Mrs. Home. He had not meant to keep this fact a secret from her, but
there was still a soreness over him when he thought of this young woman
which prevented her name coming readily to his lips. On this first night
in his new abode he sat down to write to his promised wife; but neither
now did he give his address, nor tell his landlady's name. He had an
obvious reason, however, now for his conduct.

This was what Charlotte received from her lover on the following
morning,--

"MY DARLING,--Such a strange thing has happened; but one which,
thank God, as far as I am concerned, need not cause you the least
alarm. I moved from my old lodgings to-day and went a little
further into the country. I had just unpacked my belongings and was
expecting some tea, for I was hot and thirsty, when my landlady
came in and told me that her eldest child is taken very ill with
scarlet fever. She has other children, and fears the infection will
spread. She is a very poor woman, but is one of those who in their
bearing and manner, you, Charlotte, would call noble. She wanted me
to leave at once, but this, Charlotte, I could not do. I am staying
here, and will give her what little help lies in my power. You know
there is no fear for me, for I had the complaint long ago. But,
dearest, there is just one thing that is hard. Until this little
child is better, I must not see you. You have not had this fever,
Charlotte, and for you, for my own sake, and your father's sake, I
must run no risk. I will write to you every day, or as much oftener
as you wish, for I can disinfect my paper; but I will not go to
Prince's Gate at present."

"Ever, my own true love,
"Yours most faithfully,
"John Hinton."

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