he shop ran back, and how well-stocked and busy and
solidly prosperous it seemed.

He was there--not, to her great relief, behind the counter, but in a
sort of raised office place at the farther end--attending to the books
apparently, while keeping an eye upon other matters. Hardly had she set
foot upon the carpeted aisle when his head popped up from behind his
desk, and she saw herself recognised. As it was her object to be
recognised, and to speak to him, she passed the lace department, the
ribbons, the silks, the dress stuffs, until she reached the Manchester
department, where they sold towels and table-cloths, and beautiful
satin eider-downs in all the colours of the rainbow. Here she halted
and asked sweetly for torchon lace.

All the way had Peter watched her, but with his head down, as if
wishing to hide from her. "He fancies I shall be ashamed of him because
he keeps a shop," thought she; and that was exactly what he did fancy,
knowing the world and its funny little inconsistent social ways. So,
when informed that she had left the lace counter far behind her, and
while turning to retrace her steps, she frankly sought his eye, and
catching it, bowed and smiled with all the friendliness that could be
expressed in such fashion.

That smile drew Peter out. But still he came with a bashful and
hesitating air, as if uncertain of his reception; so that she had to
meet him half-way, with bold hand extended.

"How do you do, Mr Breen? How is Bruce? But I see how well he is, and
happy--thanks to you. I am so sorry I did not have the pleasure of
seeing your mother and sister when they were so kind as to call the
other day; but I did not know they were in the house till they were
gone."

He glowed with joy. He clasped her hand with a vigour that made it
tingle for a minute afterwards.

"I was sorry too," he said. "My old mater is a good soul. I think you
and she--I wanted her to see you. Another time, perhaps--"

"Oh, I hope so! We are such near neighbours." She was ready to say
anything that would make him feel he was not being treated as a
shopman. "And did you have your day's shooting? Were you successful?"
"Well," with modest pride, "I came upon snipe unexpectedly, and brought
home a couple of brace. If I had thought you would condescend to accept
them, Miss Pennycuick--if I had dared--"

"Oh, thank you very much, but I could not have let you rob your
mother--"

Conscious of heightened colour, and several pa