y
jealous for the pride of all her sex. Florrie was beyond question
exceedingly pretty; in particular the chin pouted more deliriously than
ever. Her complexion was even finer than Hilda's own. She had a simple,
good-natured glance, a quick and extraordinarily seductive smile, and
the unique bodily grace of her years. Her costume, though vulgar and
very ill-made, was effective at a little distance; her form and
movements gave it a fictitious worth. Indeed, she was an amazing blossom
to have come off the dunghill of Calder Street. Domestic drudgery had
not yet dehumanized nor disfigured her--it is true that her hands were
concealed in gloves, and her feet beneath a flowing skirt. Now, Mr.
Boutwood's attitude showed very plainly that the girlish charms of
Florrie had produced in him a definite and familiar effect. He would
have been ready to commit follies for the young woman, and to deny that
she was a drudge or anything but a beautiful creature.

Hilda objected. She objected because Mr. Boutwood was a widower, holding
that he had no right to joy, and that he ought to mourn practically for
ever in solitude. She would make no allowance for his human instincts,
his needs of intimate companionship, his enormous unoccupied leisure.
She would have condemned him utterly on the score of his widowhood
alone. But she objected far more strongly to his attitude because he was
fat and looked somewhat coarse. She counted his obesity to him for a
sin. And it was naught to her that he had been a martyr to idleness and
wealth, which combination had prematurely aged him. Mr. Boutwood was
really younger than George Cannon, and Florence Bagster certainly seemed
as old as Hilda. Yet the juxtaposition of the young, slim, and virginal
Florrie and the large, earth-worn Mr. Boutwood profoundly offended her.

It was Mr. Boutwood who first discovered that Hilda was in the doorway.
He was immediately abashed, and presented the most foolish appearance.
Whereupon Hilda added scorn to her disgust. Florrie, however, easily
kept her countenance, and with a pert smile took the hand which her
former mistress graciously extended. By universal custom a servant
retains some of the privileges of humanity for several minutes after
entering upon a new servitude. Mr. Boutwood vanished.

"Louisa will help you upstairs with the trunk," said Hilda, when she had
made inquiries about the wonderful journey which Florrie had
accomplished alone, and about the health