"How was it likely--in this disguise? A thought crossed my mind that it
might be some one from you, and even that made me sick with terror.
How could you run such a risk as to come here?" she added, wringing her
hands. "If you are discovered, it is certain death; death--upon--you
know!"

"Upon the gibbet," returned Richard Hare. "I do know it, Barbara."

"Then why risk it? Should mamma see you it will kill her outright."

"I can't live on as I am living," he answered, gloomily. "I have been
working in London ever since--"

"In London!" interrupted Barbara.

"In London, and have never stirred out of it. But it is hard work for
me, and now I have an opportunity of doing better, if I can get a little
money. Perhaps my mother can let me have it; it is what I have come to
ask for."

"How are you working? What at?"

"In a stable-yard."

"A stable-yard!" she uttered, in a deeply shocked tone. "Richard!"

"Did you expect it would be as a merchant, or a banker, or perhaps as
secretary to one of her majesty's ministers--or that I was a gentleman
at large, living on my fortune?" retorted Richard Hare, in a tone of
chafed anguish, painful to hear. "I get twelve shillings a week, and