Miss Potterson was stooping to loosen the bonnet-strings of the dolls’ dressmaker. She looked round rather angrily, and said: “Lizzie Hexam is a very proud young woman.”

“She would be so proud,” returned Riah, dexterously, “to stand well in your good opinion, that before she quitted London for⁠—”

“For where, in the name of the Cape of Good Hope?” asked Miss Potterson, as though supposing her to have emigrated.

“For the country,” was the cautious answer⁠—“she made us promise to come and show you a paper, which she left in our hands for that special purpose. I am an unserviceable friend of hers, who began to know her after her departure from this neighbourhood. She has been for some time living with my young companion, and has been a helpful and a comfortable friend to her. Much needed, madam,” he added, in a lower voice. “Believe me; if you knew all, much needed.”