Look at
the face! There isn't an ounce of immorality in it. Only folly,--slack,
fatuous, feeble, futile folly. It's a typical head. D'you notice how
the skull begins to show through the flesh padding on the face and
cheek-bone?'

'What a cold-blooded barbarian it is! Don't hit a woman when she's down.
Can't we do anything? She was simply dropping with starvation.

She almost fell into my arms, and when she got to the food she ate like
a wild beast. It was horrible.'

'I can give her money, which she would probably spend in drinks. Is she
going to sleep for ever?'

The girl opened her eyes and glared at the men between terror and
effrontery.

'Feeling better?' said Torpenhow.

'Yes. Thank you. There aren't many gentlemen that are as kind as you
are. Thank you.'

'When did you leave service?' said Dick, who had been watching the
scarred and chapped hands.

'How did you know I was in service? I was. General servant. I didn't
like it.'

'And how do you like being your own mistress?'

'Do I look as if I liked it?'

'I suppose not. One moment. Would you be good enough to turn your face
to the window?'

The girl obeyed, and Dick watched her face keenly,--so keenly that she
made as if to hide behind Torpenhow.

'The eyes have it,' said Dick, walking up and down. 'They are superb
eyes for my business. And, after all, every head depends on the eyes.
This has been sent from heaven to make up for--what was taken away. Now
the weekly strain's off my shoulders, I can get to work in earnest.

Evidently sent from heaven. Yes. Raise your chin a little, please.'

'Gently, old man, gently. You're scaring somebody out of her wits,' said
Torpenhow, who could see the girl trembling.

'Don't let him hit me! Oh, please don't let him hit me! I've been hit
cruel to-day because I spoke to a man. Don't let him look at me like
that! He's reg'lar wicked, that one. Don't let him look at me like that,
neither! Oh, I feel as if I hadn't nothing on when he looks at me like
that!'

The overstrained nerves in the frail body gave way, and the girl wept
like a little child and began to scream. Dick threw open the window, and
Torpenhow flung the door back.

'There you are,' said Dick, soothingly. 'My friend here can call for a
policeman, and you can run through that door. Nobody is going to hurt
you.'

The girl sobbed convulsively for a few minutes, and then tried to laugh.

'Nothing in the world to hurt you. Now listen to me for