passively and mutely to the door, her heart misgave her, she raised herself from her chair, and made towards him. Unhappily for her chance of reconciliation, she had that day quaffed more copiously of the bowl than usual, and the signs of intoxication visible in her uncertain gait, her meaningless eye, her vacant leer, her ruby cheek, all inspired Paul with feelings which, at the moment, converted resentment into something very much like aversion. He sprang from her grasp to the threshold. "Where be you going, you imp of the world?" cried the dame. "Get in with you, and say no more on the matter; be a bob-cull—drop the bullies, and you shall have the blunt!"
But Paul heeded not this invitation.
"I will eat the bread of idleness and charity no longer," said he sullenly. "Good bye,—and if ever I can pay you what I have cost you, I will!"
He turned away as he spoke; and the dame, kindling with resentment at his unseemly return to her proffered kindness, hallooed after him, and bade that dark-coloured gentleman who keeps the fire-office below, go along with him.
Swelling with anger, pride, shame, and a half
