sentially
gross. In the way of social advancement she appreciated nothing but an
increased power of spending money, and consequently of asserting
herself over others. She had no desire whatever to enter a higher class
than that in which she was born; to be of importance in her familiar
circle was the most she aimed at. In visiting the theatre, she did not
so much care to occupy a superior place--indeed, such a position made
her ill at ease--as to astonish her neighbours in the pit by a lavish
style of costume, by loud remarks implying a free command of cash, by
purchase between the acts of something expensive to eat or drink.
Needless to say that she never read anything but police news; in the
fiction of her world she found no charm, so sluggishly unimaginative
was her nature. Till of late she had either abandoned herself all day
long to a brutal indolence, eating rather too much, and finding quite
sufficient occupation for her slow brain in the thought of how pleasant
it was not to be obliged to work, and occasionally in reviewing the
chances that she might eventually have plenty of money and no Joseph
Snowdon as a restraint upon her; or else, her physical robustness
demanding exercise, she walked considerable distances about the
localities she knew, calling now and then upon an acquaintance.

Till of late; but a change had come upon her life. It was now seldom
that she kept the house all day; when within doors she was restless,
quarrelsome. Joseph became aware with surprise that she no longer tried
to conceal her enmity against him; on a slight provocation she broke
into a fierceness which reminded him of the day when he undeceived her
as to his position, and her look at such times was murderous. It might
come, he imagined, of her being released from the prudent control of
her mother. However, again a few weeks and things were somewhat
improved; she eyed him like a wild beast, but was less frequent in her
outbreaks. Here, too, it might be that Mrs. Peckover's influence was at
work, for Clara spent at least four evenings of the seven away from
home, and always said she had been at the Close. As indifferent as it
was possible to be, Joseph made no attempt to restrain her
independence; indeed he was glad to have her out of his way.

We must follow her on one of these evenings ostensibly passed at Mrs.
Peckover's--no, not follow, but discover her at nine o'clock.

In Old Street, not far from Shoreditch Station, was a sh