Her first rap was very timid--one feeble fall of the knocker; and then she stood still again for many minutes; but presently she rallied her courage and knocked several times together, not loudly, but rapidly, so that Mrs.Pettifer, if she only heard the sound, could not mistake it.

And she _had_ heard it, for by and by the casement of her window was opened, and Janet perceived that she was bending out to try and discern who it was at the door.
'It is I, Mrs.Pettifer; it is Janet Dempster.

Take me in, for pity's sake.' 'Merciful God! what has happened ?' 'Robert has turned me out.

I have been in the cold a long while.' Mrs.Pettifer said no more, but hurried away from the window, and was soon at the door with a light in her hand.
'Come in, my poor dear, come in,' said the good woman in a tremulous voice, drawing Janet within the door.

'Come into my warm bed, and may God in heaven save and comfort you.' The pitying eyes, the tender voice, the warm touch, caused a rush of new feeling in Janet.