to wonder whether the message had been
communicated in the precise tone and manner that she had given it. The
blue pinafored girls, stitching gold thread in the workroom at
Hilbert's, cultivated little reserve, and when they had occasion to
enter the office they sometimes told her of young men encountered (say)
at a dance, of ardent protestations of love, faithful promises to meet
again.

"And from that day to this," the accounts finished, "not so much as a
sign of his lordship."

There was encouragement in the thought that he knew the number in Great
Titchfield Street; was aware that she walked thence to Praed Street.
And each evening on the way home a straw hat temporarily imposed upon
her, a tall boyish figure and an eager method of walking deceived. At
Praed Street, Mrs. Mills, noting that time had not been wasted on the
journey, beamed approval and made much of her niece, telling her she
was a good, sensible girl; one bound to get on in the world. Gertie
did not leave again after her arrival, but turned out a room upstairs,
and swept and dusted with extraordinary energy.

Good spirits increased at Great Titchfield Street when Friday came, and
men at the looms above sang loudly; girls who had borrowed small sums
were reminded by lenders that the moment for payment was close at hand.
At the hour, wages were given through the pigeon-hole of the windows by
Madame, with the assistance of Gertie, and the young women hung up
pinafores, pinned hats, and flew off with the sums as though there was
danger of a refund being demanded. When they had gone, Madame,
dispirited by the paying out of money, said there was not now the
profit in the business that there had been in her father's day, when
you charged what you liked, and everybody paid willingly. To restore
cheerfulness, the two faced each other at the sloping desks, and Madame
dictated whilst Gertie took bills, headed "Hilbert's Military
Accoutrement Manufacturers," and wrote the words, "To a/c rendered."
Later, she left to Madame the task of locking up.

Near the print shop over the way, a tall young figure in a tweed suit
marched from one unlighted lamp-post to another; the girl drew back to
the staircase, snatching a space for consideration. The next moment
she was crossing the street with the air of an art patron anxious to
inspect before making a purchase.

"You gave me such a start," she declared, as a hand touched her
shoulder lightly. "I'd begun to t