The girl had
independence of judgment; she would resent anything said by him on
the assumption of her moral inferiority, and, for aught he knew,
with justice. The chances were at least as great that he might prove
unworthy of her, as that she should prove unworthy of him.
When he presented himself at the house in the little court by Temple
Bar, it was the girl Sally who opened the door to him. She beckoned
him to follow, and ran before him upstairs. The sitting-room
presented the same comfortable appearance, and Grim, rising lazily
from the hearthrug, came forward purring a welcome, but Ida was not
there.
"She was obliged to go out," said Sally, in answer to his look of
inquiry. "She won't be long, and she said you was to make yourself
comfortable till she came back."
On a little side-table stood cups and saucers, and a box of cigars.
The latter Sally brought forward.
"I was to ask you to smoke, and whether you'd like a cup of coffee
with it?" she asked, with the curious _naivete_ which marked her
mode of speech.
"The kettle's boiling on the side," she added, seeing that Waymark
hesitated. "I can make it in a minute."
"In that case, I will."
"You don't mind me having one as well?"
"Of course not.
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