us as it needs and throws the rest on the scrap heap. Do you think I
don't keep my eyes open? Do you think I don't see that when you want
somebody to do double work at half rates you get a woman? And she thanks
God and struggles for the work that's too dirty or too hard for a man
to touch.'

Victoria paced up and down the small room, carried away by her
vehemence. Edward said nothing. He was much upset and did not know what
to say; he had never seen Victoria like this and he was constitutionally
afraid of vigour.

'I'm sorry, Ted,' said Victoria stopping suddenly. She laid her hand on
his sleeve. 'There, don't sulk with me. Let's go out to lunch and I'll
go and choose your books with you after. Is it a bargain?'

'I don't want to discuss the matter again,' replied Edward with as much
composure as he could muster. 'Yes, let's go out to lunch.'

The rest of the day passed without another word on the subject of
Victoria's downfall. She saw Edward off at St Pancras. After he had said
good-bye to her, he suddenly leaned out of the window of the railway
carriage as if to speak, then changed his mind and sank back on the
seat. Victoria smiled at her victory.

Next morning she broke the news to Miss Briggs. The landlady seemed
amazed as well as concerned.

'You seem rather taken aback,' said Victoria.

'Well, mum, you see it's a funny thing the stage; young ladies all seems
to think it's easy to get on. And then they don't get on. And there you
are.'

'Well I _am_ on,' said Victoria, 'so I shall have to leave on
Wednesday.'

'Sorry to lose you, mum,' said Miss Briggs, ''ope yer'll 'ave a success.
In course, as you 'aven't given me notice, mum, it'll 'ave to be a
week's money more.'

'Oh, come Miss Briggs, this is too bad,' cried Victoria, 'why, you've
got a whole floor vacant! What would it have mattered if I had given you
notice?'

'Might have let it, mum. Besides it's the law,' said Miss Briggs,
placing her arms akimbo, ready for the fray.

'Very well then,' said Victoria coldly, 'don't let's say anything more
about it.'

Miss Briggs looked at her critically. 'No offence meant, mum,' she said
timidly, 'it's a 'ard life, lodgers.'

'Indeed?' said Victoria without any show of interest.

'You wouldn't believe it, mum, all I've got to put up with. There's
Hetty now . . .'

'Yes, yes, Miss Briggs,' said Victoria impatiently, 'you've told me
about Hetty.'

'To be sure, mum,' replied Miss Briggs, humbly. 'It