She answered with the old, quick, searching look of the night when she was found at the Circus; then cast down her eyes. “Yes, father.”

“My dear,” said Mr. Gradgrind, “I must speak with you alone and seriously. Come to me in my room after breakfast tomorrow, will you?”

“Yes, father.”

“Your hands are rather cold, Louisa. Are you not well?”

“Quite well, father.”

“And cheerful?”

She looked at him again, and smiled in her peculiar manner. “I am as cheerful, father, as I usually am, or usually have been.”