'It is Charles Bradford, of London.' 'Well, if he's respectable, of course I've nothing to say against your knowing him,' remarked her mistress, prepossessed, in spite of general principles, in the young man's favour.

'But I must reconsider all that, if he attempts to renew your acquaintance.

A country-bred girl like you, who has never lived in Melchester till this month, who had hardly ever seen a black-coated man till you came here, to be so sharp as to capture a young Londoner like him!' 'I didn't capture him.

I didn't do anything,' said Anna, in confusion.
When she was indoors and alone Mrs.Harnham thought what a well-bred and chivalrous young man Anna's companion had seemed.

There had been a magic in his wooing touch of her hand; and she wondered how he had come to be attracted by the girl.
The next morning the emotional Edith Harnham went to the usual week-day service in Melchester cathedral.