e is from one of the agencies. Application from a client, no doubt.
Be quick--be quick! We are dying to read them."

"Why didn't you open them, then? It is your business as well as mine."

Hope opened the agency letter first, and shuddered dramatically at the
intelligence that a certain Mrs Annesley would be glad to engage her
services for the evening of December the 27th; then came the turn of the
second letter, and her sisters saw the pale cheeks deepen into rose as
she read its contents.

"It is from a Mrs Welsby, in Belgrave Square, a sister of the Mr
Merrilies who was at The Shanty. He has told her about me, and she
wants me for the 29th. I--I think I shall take a berth on an Atlantic
liner and emigrate. I daren't face it. I shall make an idiot of
myself; I know I shall."

"All right. If you don't go--_I shall_!" cried Madge. "I can sing
too--in a fashion--and that money would be remarkably useful to us just
now. Choose between yourself and me; that is the position."

There was no sympathy forthcoming for Hope's nervousness; on the
contrary, she was made to feel that it was her duty to overcome any such
feeling, and to do her best for the sake of the family. Happy girl! her
chance had come, while others were still waiting their turn; it was they
who were in need of pity, not one to whom a longed-for opportunity had
been given. Hope listened, assented, and let no further word of dread
pass her lips. In truth, after the first shock was over, she forgot
everything but one absorbing question--would Ralph be at Mrs Welsby's
party? Would she be able to speak to him? Would his face lighten at
the sight of her, as it had done during that happy fortnight at The
Shanty? At one moment she longed passionately to meet him; at the next
she almost wished him absent, since it would be doubly difficult to be
natural and unconstrained beneath his scrutiny.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

MEETING AND PARTING.

And so the weeks went by, and the eventful evening came round at last.
Hope attired herself in the white dress in which she looked charming
enough to enrapture any audience, seated herself in a cab, and drove
away through the crowded streets, a poor little trembling Columbus going
forth to discover new worlds! At Belgrave Square an awning was erected
over the doorway, a babel of noise filled the air, and the big rooms
were crowded with dainty little forms dancing about on long white legs,
and groups of boys in