hustle of the
crowd, the smell of the asphalt; and, above all, the stone staircase and
the gaol-like corridors of Brown's Buildings. "At any rate, if I'm not
happy, it is not your fault, Donna Elvira. Owing to your kindness, I
have fallen on clover--pardon! I mean that I've got an excellent
situation. And, speaking of that, I'm very glad to see you. I'm afraid
you'll think I'm a nuisance, and that, like a new broom, I want to sweep
everything clean; but I'm obliged to tell you that the machinery you've
got out there is played out, and that it is absolutely necessary to have
a new plant. It will cost you a great deal of money, and I don't know
where it is to come from--straight from England, I suppose."

She made a movement of her hand, indicating what seemed to Derrick
sublime indifference.

"It shall be as you say," she said. "You have been working very hard, is
it not? Oh, I have seen you coming from the shed; you looked tired and
so----Is it necessary, senor, to get so dirty?"

"'Fraid it is," said Derrick, with a laugh; "the worst of it is, the
machinery is even dirtier than I am. 'Pon my word, I don't believe it's
had a good over-haul for years."

"Possibly," said Donna Elvira, absently. "The last man who had charge of
it was too fond of the wine."

"I can believe it," said Derrick; "anyway, he kept his machinery thirsty
enough. What shall I do about it?"

She pondered for a moment or two; then, with a sudden raising of her sad
eyes, she said, slowly,

"It must come from England, you said. It is possible to order it from
thence?"

"Oh, yes," said Derrick, hesitatingly. "Of course, it would be better if
one could buy it on the spot."

"That is so," she agreed. There was silence for awhile, then she said
slowly, "Are you content to remain here--Mr. Dene?"

It was the first time she had addressed him by his name, and she did so
with an hesitation that Derrick attributed to her uncertainty of the
pronunciation.

"Well, I am as content as I should be anywhere out of England," he said,
with a candour compelled by her kindness.

She glanced at him with an earnest regard, and said softly, but
suddenly,

"It means that you have left your heart there?"

Derrick coloured and lit another cigarette. Again, he felt as if he were
obliged to open his heart to this sorrowful, sympathetic woman.

"That is so," he said, gravely.

"You have no father or mother," she murmured, her eyes downcast; "then
it must be