ss, and I won't trouble you with things that
don't concern you. And that's how it stands, you see.'

By a rapid calculation Emmeline discovered; with surprise, that Mrs.
Higgins could not be much more than forty years of age. It must have
been a life of gross self-indulgence that had made the woman look at
least ten years older. This very undesirable parentage naturally
affected Emmeline's opinion of Louise, whose faults began to show in
a more pronounced light. One thing was clear: but for the fact that
Louise aimed at a separation from her relatives, it would be barely
possible to think of receiving her. If Mrs. Higgins thought of
coming down to Sutton at unexpected moments--no, that was too
dreadful.

'Should you wish, Mrs. Higgins, to entrust your daughter to me
entirely?'

'My dear Mrs. Rumford, it's very little that _my_ wishes has to do
with it! She's made up her mind to leave 'ome, and all I can do is
to see she gets with respectable people, which I feel sure you are;
and of course I shall have your references.'

Emmeline turned pale at the suggestion. She all but decided that the
matter must go no further.

'And what might your terms be--inclusive?' Mrs. Higgins proceeded to
inquire.

At this moment a servant entered with tea, and Emmeline, sorely
flurried, talked rapidly of the advantages of Sutton as a residence.
She did not allow her visitor to put in a word till the door closed
again. Then, with an air of decision, she announced her terms; they
would be three guineas a week. It was half a guinea more than she
and Clarence had decided to ask. She expected, she hoped, Mrs.
Higgins would look grave. But nothing of the kind; Louise's mother
seemed to think the suggestion very reasonable. Thereupon Emmeline
added that, of course, the young lady would discharge her own
laundress's bill. To this also Mrs. Higgins readily assented.

'A hundred and sixty pounds per annum!' Emmeline kept repeating to
herself. And, alas! it looked as if she might have asked much more.
The reference difficulty might be minimised by naming her own
married sister, who lived at Blackheath, and Clarence's most
intimate friend, Mr. Tarling, who held a good position in a City
house, and had a most respectable address at West Kensington. But
her heart misgave her. She dreaded her husband's return home.

The conversation was prolonged for half-an-hour. Emmeline gave her
references, and in return requested the like from Mrs. Higgins.