re very
long, and find himself able to give his Rose as pretty a home as she
could wish for.

"I won't forget your kindness, nor how you're ready to take me without
a character. I'll serve you honest and true," he said.

"It is only one more example of the capriciousness of rich people,"
said Paul, as he told the tale to Sally later in the day. "Here was
this poor fellow dismissed without a character for what I honestly
believe was a first offence. I'm glad to give him a helping hand."

But Paul was judging hastily; Tom Burney had received notice from the
gardener, who had not thought it worth while to consult Mrs. Webster
about the matter.

CHAPTER VIII.

AN OUTSTRETCHED HAND.

It was many weeks before Paul and May Webster met after the night of
the fire. The Court was crammed with company, and although Paul and
his sister were invited to dinner more than once, such invitations were
politely declined.

"It's quite impossible, Sally," Paul had said, in answer to the rather
wistful look in her dark eyes. "To dine there quietly by ourselves, is
one thing; to go and meet a heap of smart people, who are my special
abomination, is another; and I should not have thought you would have
wished it either."

"It would be so much experience; I could be in it but not of it. But I
expect I should not be smart enough, either in my dress or my talk; so
we must decline, I suppose. What shall I say?"

"Anything you like within the limits of truth."

"Paul won't come, and I can't because I have not a proper frock," said
Sally, merrily. "I am sorry, and he is not."

"Don't talk nonsense, Sally," said Paul, with an answering laugh. "Any
woman can write a decent note of refusal if she chooses."

So the decent note was written and despatched, to be followed by
another, rather differently worded, when the second invitation came
about a week later, after which they were asked no more. Sally watched
the smart carriages drive to and from the station, with their varying
loads of visitors, with a passing pang of regret. It was like gazing
into a shop-window when you are possessed of no money to buy the
tempting wares displayed there.

Paul scarcely gave his gay neighbours a thought; his head was full of
plans for the improvement of the place, and it fretted him a little
that on every hand he found himself unable to carry out his wishes for
the want of the necessary means.

He was not altogether popular: the poor