nything
but insignificant as she took her place in the high dogcart that was
waiting at the station. As she drove through the little country town,
more than one admiring glance was cast upon the pretty young lady whose
golden hair and pink-and-white complexion showed to such advantage
against the severe black of her attire. Tired shop assistants gazed at
her through the shop windows, and sighed with envy as they looked. It
must be so nice to be a lady and have nothing to do but enjoy one's
self, and look pretty, and never know an anxious thought all one's days?
That lovely young lady, for instance, was going to stay at The Shanty,
where there was already a houseful of guests: handsome men ready to fall
in love at a moment's notice; girls over whom the new-comer would reign
as queen! Her luggage was no doubt following in the cart: box upon box
of fineries; different dresses for every day in the week; jewel-cases
full of glittering gems!

So much for imagination, while in reality poor Hope was clenching her
hands to keep from trembling, hoping with all her might that the one
black silk evening-dress would not be a mass of creases when unpacked;
wondering if it were possible that where she was going she would meet a
friend who might be able to help her to earn some money--a little money
to put towards those terrible household expenses.

Ten minutes' drive and they had loft the town behind them; another ten
minutes and the lodge gates of The Shanty came in sight; three minutes
more and Hope was stepping inside an entrance-hall lined with fine old
tapestries, and stretching the whole length of the house. The sound of
voices came to her ear, but she could not locate them until she had
walked half-way down the hall. Then a deep recess came in view on the
right-hand side--a recess as big as an ordinary room--wherein a dozen
people sat round a blazing fire, drinking tea with leisurely enjoyment.
At sight of the new-comer there was a general pause in the conversation.
Mrs Loftus rustled forward to greet her; Avice smiled and extended a
languid hand; and Uncle Loftus murmured jocosely, "Hope on, Hope ever!
So here you are, my dear--eh! Glad to see you. Have a cup of tea!"

"Sit here, Hope. Let me introduce you," said her aunt; and Hope
listened confusedly to a long list of names, bowed automatically from
time to time, then thankfully subsided into a seat in a corner. There
were two ladies present besides her aunt and c