two. I am not my own
mistress. I dare not ask you to visit me at my own house, for I am
watched by jealous eyes. Let me see," she added; "I am older than you,
although so much weaker; and while I trust in your courage and
determination, I must employ my own knowledge of the world for our
mutual benefit. Where do you live?"

He told her that he lodged in a furnished hotel, and named the street
and number.

She seemed to reflect for some minutes, with an effort of mind.

"I see," she said at last. "You will be faithful and obedient, will you
not?"

Silas assured her eagerly of his fidelity.

"To-morrow night, then," she continued, with an encouraging smile, "you
must remain at home all the evening; and if any friends should visit
you, dismiss them at once on any pretext that most readily presents
itself. Your door is probably shut by ten?" she asked.

"By eleven," answered Silas.

"At a quarter past eleven," pursued the lady, "leave the house. Merely
cry for the door to be opened, and be sure you fall into no talk with
the porter, as that might ruin everything. Go straight to the corner
where the Luxembourg Gardens join the Boulevard; there you will find me
waiting you. I trust you to follow my advice from point to point: and
remember, if you fail me in only one particular, you will bring the
sharpest trouble on a woman whose only fault is to have seen and loved
you."

"I cannot see the use of all these instructions," said Silas.

"I believe you are already beginning to treat me as a master," she
cried, tapping him with her fan upon the arm. "Patience, patience! that
should come in time. A woman loves to be obeyed at first, although
afterwards she finds her pleasure in obeying. Do as I ask you, for
Heaven's sake, or I will answer for nothing. Indeed, now I think of it,"
she added, with a manner of one who has just seen further into a
difficulty, "I find a better plan of keeping importunate visitors away.
Tell the porter to admit no one for you, except a person who may come
that night to claim a debt; and speak with some feeling, as though you
feared the interview, so that he may take your words in earnest."

"I think you may trust me to protect myself against intruders," he said,
not without a little pique.

"That is how I should prefer the thing arranged," she answered coldly.
"I know you men; you think nothing of a woman's reputation."

Silas blushed and somewhat hung his head; for the scheme he had in vi