Algernon knew it as well as Edward, or any one.

She was a terror to the soul of the youth, and an attraction.

Her smile was the richest flattery he could feel; the richer, perhaps, from his feeling it to be a thing impossible to fix.

He had heard tales of her; he remembered Edward's warning; but he was very humbly sitting with her now, and very happy.
"I'm in for it," he said to his fair companion; "no cheque for me next quarter, and no chance of an increase.

He'll tell me I've got a salary.
A salary! Good Lord! what a man comes to! I've done for myself with the squire for a year." "You must think whether you have compensation," said the lady, and he received it in a cousinly squeeze of his hand.
He was about to raise the lank white hand to his lips.
"Ah!" she said, "there would be no compensation to me, if that were seen;" and her dainty hand was withdrawn.