But I am English born." "And going home ?" "Yes." "Far from hence ?" "About thirty miles, I believe." "You are young, sir, to be alone." The traveller made no answer, but finished his uninviting repast and drew his chair again to the fire.

He then thought he had sufficiently ministered to his host's curiosity to be entitled to the gratification of his own.
"You work at the factories, I suppose ?" said he.
"I do, sir.

Bad times." "And your pretty daughter ?" "Minds the house." "Have you no other children ?" "No; one mouth besides my own is as much as I can feed, and that scarcely.

But you would like to rest now; you can have my bed, sir; I can sleep here." "By no means," said the stranger, quickly; "just put a few more coals on the fire, and leave me to make myself comfortable." The man rose, and did not press his offer, but left the room for a supply of fuel.

Alice remained in her corner.
"Sweetheart," said the traveller, looking round and satisfying himself that they were alone: "I should sleep well if I could get one kiss from those coral lips." Alice hid her face with her hands.
"Do I vex you ?" "Oh no, sir." At this assurance the traveller rose, and approached Alice softly.