When the girl left Colchester, she was on rather bad terms with her aunt, and the latter wrote to Julian, saying that she knew nothing of Harriet's object in going to London, but that it was certainly advisable that some friend should be at hand, if possible, to give her advice; though advice (she went on to say) was seldom acceptable to Harriet.

This letter alarmed Julian, as it was the first he had heard of his cousin's new step; the letter from herself at the end of a week's time greatly relieved him, and he went off as soon as possible to see her.

He found her living in the house where she was engaged, apparently with decent people, and moderately contented; more than this could never be said of the girl.

Since then, he had seen her at least once every week.

Sometimes he visited her at the shop; when the weather was fine, they spent the Sunday afternoon in walking together.