l things to go to the House of Commons and hear
a debate--if it could be managed.'

Pitt said it could be managed; and it was managed; and they went to the
Park; and they drove out to see some of the beauties near London,
Richmond, Hampton Court, and Windsor; and several days passed away in
great enjoyment for the whole party. Betty forgot the Tower and grew
gay. The strangeness of her position was forgotten; the house came to
be familiar; the alternation of sight-seeing with the quiet household
life was delightful. Nothing could be better, might it last. Could it
not last? Nay, Betty would have relinquished the sight-seeing and
bargained for only the household life, if she could have retained that.

CHAPTER XLIII.

_MARTIN'S COURT_.

'What is for to-day, Pitt?'

There had been a succession of rather gay days, visiting of galleries
and palaces. Mrs. Dallas put the question at breakfast.

'I am going to show Miss Frere something, if she will allow me.'

'She will allow you, of course. You have done it pretty often lately.
Where is it now?'

'Nowhere for you, mamma. My show to-day is for Miss Frere alone.'

'Alone? Why may I not go?'

'You would not enjoy it.'

'Then perhaps she will not enjoy it.'

'Perhaps not.'

'But, Pitt, what do you mean? and what is this you want to show her
which she does not want to see?'

'She can tell you all about it afterwards, if she chooses.'

'Perhaps she will not choose to go with you on such a doubtful
invitation.'

Betty, however, declared herself ready for anything. So she was, under
such guidance.

They took a cab for a certain distance; then Pitt dismissed it, and
they went forward on foot. It was a dull, hot day; clouds hanging low
and threatening rain, but no rain falling as yet. Rain, if decided, to
a good degree keeps down exhalations in the streets of a city, and so
far is a help to the wayfarer who is at all particular about the air he
breathes. No such beneficent influence was abroad to-day; and Betty's
impressions were not altogether agreeable.

'What part of the city is this?' she asked.

'Not a bad part at all. In fact, we are near a very fashionable
quarter. This particular street is a business thoroughfare, as you see.'

Betty was silent, and they went on a while; then turned sharp out of
this thoroughfare into a narrow alley. It was hot and close and dank
enough here to make Miss Frere shrink, though she would not betray it.
But dead ca