ll about your circumstances. Are they
still the same?'

'Precisely the same. Most happily, we have never needed to entrench
upon our capital. Whatever happens, we must avoid that--whatever
happens!'

'I quite understand you. But wouldn't it be possible to make a better
use of that money? It is eight hundred pounds, I think? Have you never
thought of employing it in some practical enterprise?'

Virginia at first shrank in alarm, then trembled deliciously at her
friend's bold views.

'Would it be possible? Really? You think--'

'I can only suggest, of course. One mustn't argue about others from
one's own habit of thought. Heaven forbid'--this sounded rather profane
to the listener--'that I should urge you to do anything you would think
rash. But how much better if you could somehow secure independence.'

'Ah, if we could! The very thing we were saying the other day! But how?
I have no idea how.'

Miss Nunn seemed to hesitate.

'I don't advise. You mustn't give any weight to what I say, except in
so far as your own judgment approves it. But couldn't one open a
preparatory school, for instance? At Weston, suppose, where already you
know a good many people. Or even at Clevedon.'

Virginia drew in her breath, and it was easy for Miss Nunn to perceive
that the proposal went altogether beyond her friend's scope.
Impossible, perhaps, to inspire these worn and discouraged women with a
particle of her own enterprise. Perchance they altogether lacked
ability to manage a school for even the youngest children. She did not
press the subject; it might come up on another occasion. Virginia
begged for time to think it over; then, remembering her invalid sister,
felt that she must not prolong the visit.

'Do take some of these flowers,' said Miss Nunn, collecting a rich
nosegay from the vases. 'Let them be my message to your sister. And I
should be so glad to see Monica. Sunday is a good time; I am always at
home in the afternoon.'

With a fluttering heart Virginia made what haste she could homewards.
The interview had filled her with a turmoil of strange new thoughts,
which she was impatient to pour forth for Alice's wondering comment. It
was the first time in her life that she had spoken with a woman daring
enough to think and act for herself.

CHAPTER IV

MONICA'S MAJORITY

In the drapery establishment where Monica Madden worked and lived it
was not (as is sometimes the case) positively forbidden to the resid