'll write an article--`On a City
'Bus'--a character sketch, short and strong and dramatic. Where shall I
send it?"

She went off into a reverie, turning over in her mind the names of
different papers and magazines, planning, wondering, weaving dreams,
while the omnibus made its way down Holborn towards the Viaduct. Madge
and Steve were chattering gaily together. Hope sat with clasped hands,
gazing eagerly ahead for the first glimpse of the majestic dome. Tired
Philippa blinked at the rows of lamps, the flaring advertisements, and
gaily lighted saloons, and wished that the drive would last for hours,
so that she might sit still and feel the refreshing night-air play upon
her brow. She groaned when the stoppage came and Madge pulled her
impatiently by the arm; and had nothing but yawns to mingle with her
sisters' ecstasies as they stood at the corner of the Churchyard, and
gazed and gazed until it seemed that they would never tear themselves
away. Hope was hearing in imagination the swell of the great organ, the
reed-like sweetness of the voices of the white-robed choristers. Madge
was already painting a picture of the great edifice by night, the
twinkling lights beneath, the vast outline losing itself mysteriously in
the clouds.

Theo was trembling, and biting her lips to keep back the tears. To her
it was not a building at all; it was a sign--a symbol! The wide steps
were not empty--she saw on them the blaze of great national pageants;
the wide nave was filled with happy faces, with black-robed women who
wept and wrung their hands; in her ears was the tramp of armed men. She
shivered and drew her cloak closely round her. When the next omnibus
for Victoria came along she took a surreptitious opportunity of flicking
the drops from her eyelashes. Some day she would write about this too!
Oh, what wealth of subjects, what capital, what inspiration in this
wonderful, throbbing world! And then Stephen tapped her on the shoulder
and cried a well-known name:

"Fleet Street, Theo! Allow me to introduce you. Your special beat, my
dear."

"My publishers! Where are my publishers!" cried Theo loudly, as though
she expected to see the heads of the great firms ranged in a body to
greet her.

The other occupants of the benches overheard her words, and gazed upon
her with becoming awe. This was evidently a distinguished author! Note
her well--consider her features, so that she may be recognised by the
portraits i