I did not keep him a minute. I just picked
the ends of cotton from my gown, and pulled my
cap straight before the looking-glass, and went
out to him. He was standing at the bottom of
the stairs, wiping his dirty boots on the doormat.
I liked him from that moment. It was
so nice and considerate to take care of the floorcloth.

He looked up at the sound of my "Good
morning, sir," and I saw his face. It was
foreign, dark-complexioned, with a ruddy colour
on the cheek; a quantity of curling black hair,
a twinkling black eye, and a little curled
moustache, giving him a piquant expression; and as
he turned to me with a courteous smile, and the
most charming broken English—I must confess
it—my heart was taken by storm.

He fumbled in his coat-pocket, and then in
his waistcoat, finally producing a rather soiled
card, which he presented to me. It was
printed in funny little letters—"Signor Angelo
Pagliardini, Professor of Languages"—and
while I was wondering how on earth to
pronounce such an outlandish name, he began,
"Madame—I beg pardon—Missis Flint, I did
hear of your lodgings; I am the new professor
at the grammar school. I am Italian. I want a
little lodging. Permit me, Missis Flint——"

What he did not say he insinuated by bows;
and, charmed by his politeness, I gave my hair
an extra smooth, and threw open the parlour
door.

I had received so many rebuffs and disappointments,
that it was much more modestly than
heretofore that I proceeded to draw up the painted
blind (representing poplar-trees and York
Minster in the distance) and descanted on the
various merits and conveniences of the chamber.
The signor paid little attention to my
explanations, hardly noticed my beautiful stand of
wax flowers made at Miss Rule's boarding-
school; though I stood aside on purpose to
draw his eye to it. His great anxiety seemed to
be about the rent ; and, when we had satisfactorily
arranged that, he only made one
suggestion :

"I have a good many pictures, and such
things," said he. "Perhaps you would not
object to remove those portraits to make more
room. My boxes are at the station, and shall
be sent up immediately."

I own I was surprised at his request ; for the
portraits to which he referred were that likeness
of my mother in her satinet, and a companion
view of my dear father, in a red waistcoat with
a rose-bud in his button-hole. But I said
nothing—I was cowed by that long waiting—and
he made his request very modestly. Only, as he
was going out of the door, I ventured to
insinuate that my mother was head of the house,
and, instead of being Mrs. Flint, I was only
Miss Patty. Good man! how he turned round
and raised his eyebrows, laying his hand on his
heart as he said,

"Is it possible ?"

I suppose he had been equally impressed, and
wondered at the blindness of the men of this
generation. But at last he had bowed himself
out, and I was at liberty to return and break
the news to my mother.

My mother was in a real passion, and tore up
all her lighter paper into crooked strips. She
declared that a man should not live in her house.
As for me, I was beside myself. I never thought
my mother would have persisted in such a
fanciful resolution; and here was I, who had gone
and let the rooms, and every minute expected
the new lodger and his luggage. Tears were
vain. I nearly cried my eyes out, but my mother
sat obstinately in the corner, every moment
repeating, "No man shall ever come into this
house while I live. You are an unmarried
woman, Patty Flint. It would disgrace your father's
memory." I heard the sound of wheels in the
street, and thought it was the luggage. But the
wheels passed. It was only old Mrs. Badger
coming in from her airing, and I had still a few
moments' reprieve.

Presently, I was sitting in the basket-chair
with my handkerchief up to my face. My
mother did not notice me, and I gave a moan
—moaned louder, and began to rock myself
backwards and forwards.

"What ails ye ? Patty, what's the matter ?"

No answer. Only moan, moan, and rock,
rock, as if I were distracted.

"Good gracious ! is it tic, Patty ? Is it toothache?
Answer me, child."

My mother had come quite close, and was
leaning over me. I removed my handkerchief,
showing the red marks on the left cheek, and,
shutting my eyes, appeared too ill to answer.

"It's no use asking, mother," I said, in a feeble
voice ; "it's all on the nerves." And I moaned
afresh.

"Dear, dear !" said my mother, "what could
put it there ?"

I looked up again, and made my red cheek
very conspicuous : "It was the bother about
the lodgings. I was so fidgeted after I had
made the arrangements. And really I did all for
the best."

My mother was fairly overcome.

"Don't vex yourself, Patty, about that. Don't
torment yourself, there's a darling. It shall be
all as you wish. I dare say you meant well,
and——But how bad you are ! Hadn't I better
send for Dr. Rotheram ?"

I caught the sound of wheels really stopping
this time : "Mother !" I groaned, "don't let
there be any altercation. My poor head would
be distracted by noise. Let them take the
boxes up quietly at once. And, dear mother,
don't leave me on any account." I was in such
a fright she would go out and blow them up;
and so for the next hour I kept her fomenting
my face and pitying my sufferings.

At the end of that time it was necessary to
prepare dinner, and I heard the footsteps ot my
lodger in the adjoining room; so I told the old
lady that I felt better. The tic was going away
almost as suddenly as it had come on, and perhaps
if I moved about I should get rid of it altogether.
I did Monsieur Pagliardini a beefsteak to a very