gure was well displayed by the dress of mourning, and
her pale, handsome face had as little congruence as possible with a
background of humble circumstances.

Dora impressed one as a simpler nature, but she too had distinctly the
note of refinement which was out of harmony with these surroundings.
They occupied only two rooms, the sleeping-chamber being double-bedded;
they purchased food for themselves and prepared their own meals,
excepting dinner. During the first week a good many tears were shed
by both of them; it was not easy to transfer themselves from the
comfortable country home to this bare corner of lodgers' London. Maud,
as appeared at the first glance, was less disposed than her sister to
make the best of things; her countenance wore an expression rather of
discontent than of sorrow, and she did not talk with the same readiness
as Dora.

On the round table lay a number of books; when disturbed, the sisters
had been engaged in studious reading.

'I'm not sure that I do right in coming again so soon,' said Marian as
she took off her things. 'Your time is precious.'

'So are you,' replied Dora, laughing. 'It's only under protest that we
work in the evening when we have been hard at it all day.'

'We have news for you, too,' said Maud, who sat languidly on an uneasy
chair.

'Good, I hope?'

'Someone called to see us yesterday. I dare say you can guess who it
was.'

'Amy, perhaps?'

'Yes.'

'And how did you like her?'

The sisters seemed to have a difficulty in answering. Dora was the first
to speak.

'We thought she was sadly out of spirits. Indeed she told us that she
hasn't been very well lately. But I think we shall like her if we come
to know her better.'

'It was rather awkward, Marian,' the elder sister explained. 'We felt
obliged to say something about Mr Reardon's books, but we haven't read
any of them yet, you know, so I just said that I hoped soon to read his
new novel. "I suppose you have seen reviews of it?" she asked at once.
Of course I ought to have had the courage to say no, but I admitted
that I had seen one or two--Jasper showed us them. She looked very much
annoyed, and after that we didn't find much to talk about.'

'The reviews are very disagreeable,' said Marian with a troubled face.
'I have read the book since I saw you the other day, and I am afraid it
isn't good, but I have seen many worse novels more kindly reviewed.'

'Jasper says it's because Mr Reardon has no fri