'stail
and
the
hair
coming
off
and
when
it
's
going
to
rain
!
Do
n't
you
know
there
's
a
dozen
Grove
Streets
in
London
,
for
all
I
know
.
Leastways
I
knows
four
.
"
"
And
where
are
those
four
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
?
"
"
Now
please
,
my
good
friend
,
give
me
just
a
minute
to
think
.
It
is
dreadful
work
to
be
hurried
,
ever
since
I
fell
downstairs
,
when
I
were
six
year
old
.
Let
me
see
now
.
Charley
knows
.
Ca
n't
you
wait
,
Miss
,
till
Charley
comes
home
,
and
he
's
coming
quite
early
this
evening
,
and
two
friends
of
his
to
supper
.
"
"
No
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
,
I
cannot
wait
.
If
you
ca
n't
tell
me
,
I
must
go
and
get
a
book
.
"
"
Oh
them
books
is
no
good
.
Why
they
ai
n't
got
Charley
in
,
and
he
with
the
lease
one
time
of
the
garden
in
Hollyhock
Square
,
and
a
dahlia
named
after
him
at
the
Royal
Heretical
Society
!
And
they
did
say
the
Queen
would
have
handed
him
the
spade
she
liked
his
looks
so
much
,
only
his
nails
was
n't
clean
.
Very
likely
you
heard
,
Miss
—
And
how
he
was
cheated
out
of
it
.
"
"
Do
you
expect
me
to
wait
all
day
?
"
"
No
no
,
my
good
friend
,
to
be
sure
not
.
You
never
will
wait
a
minute
,
partikler
when
I
spill
the
coals
,
and
when
I
wants
to
baste
the
meat
.
And
how
can
the
gravy
run
,
and
a
pinch
of
salt
in
the
dripping-pan
—
"
"
Yesterday
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
,
you
basted
my
pound
and
a
half
of
mutton
with
three
pounds
of
coals
.
Now
do
n't
go
off
into
a
treatise
.
Answer
me
,
where
is
Grove
Street
?
"
"
Bless
my
heart
,
Miss
Vaughan
.
You
never
gives
one
a
chance
.
And
we
thought
a
young
lady
from
the
country
as
had
been
brought
up
with
tags
,
and
lace
,
and
bobbin
,
and
pigs
,
and
hay
—
"
"
Could
be
cheated
anyhow
.
No
,
I
do
n't
mean
that
:
I
beg
your
pardon
,
dear
Patty
.
I
often
speak
very
hastily
.
What
I
mean
is
that
you
thought
I
should
know
nothing
at
all
.
And
I
do
n't
know
much
,
but
one
thing
I
do
know
,
that
you
would
never
cheat
me
much
.
"
To
my
surprise
she
was
not
at
all
sensitive
on
this
subject
.
In
fact
she
had
dealt
with
so
many
lodgers
,
that
she
expected
to
be
suspected
.
But
I
believe
she
never
cheated
me
more
than
she
could
help
.
She
answered
me
quite
calmly
,
after
some
meditation
:
"
To
be
sure
,
Miss
,
to
be
sure
,
I
only
does
my
dooty
.
A
little
dripping
may
be
,
or
a
drop
of
milk
for
old
Tom
,
and
a
piece
of
soap
you
left
in
the
water
,
Miss
,
I
kept
it
for
Charley
to
shave
with
.
"
"
Now
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
,
no
more
of
that
.
Come
back
to
Grove
Street
;
surely
,
I
have
given
you
time
enough
now
.
"
"
Well
,
Miss
,
there
is
one
I
know
close
by
here
.
You
keep
down
the
Willa
Road
,
and
by
the
fishmonger
's
shop
,
and
then
you
turn
on
the
right
over
against
the
licensed
pursuant
to
Act
of
George
the
Fourth
.
I
knows
George
the
Fourth
acted
badly
,
but
I
never
thought
it
was
that
way
.
Sam
the
Sweep
lives
with
him
,
and
the
young
man
with
a
hook
for
his
hand
that
lets
out
the
'
Times
'
for
a
penny
,
and
keeps
all
his
brothers
and
sisters
.
"
"
And
where
are
the
other
three
that
you
know
?
"
"
There
's
one
in
Hackney
,
and
one
in
Bethnal
Green
,
and
there
's
one
in
Mile-end
Road
.
Bless
me
,
to
be
sure
!
I
've
been
there
with
dear
Miss
Minto
after
a
cat
she
lost
,
a
tabby
with
a
silver
collar
on
,
and
a
notch
in
his
left
ear
.
It
would
make
you
cry
,
Miss
—
"
"
Thank
you
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
;
that
will
do
for
the
present
.
I
'll
go
up
to
the
'
drawing-room
'
now
.
"
In
a
few
minutes
I
went
forth
with
my
dark
plaid
shawl
around
me
,
which
had
saved
my
mother
's
life
,
and
was
thenceforth
sacred
.
It
was
the
first
time
I
walked
all
alone
in
London
,
and
though
we
lived
quite
in
the
suburbs
it
seemed
very
odd
to
me
.
For
a
while
I
felt
rather
nervous
,
but
no
one
molested
me
then
or
at
any
other
time
;
although
I
have
heard
some
plain
young
ladies
declare
that
they
could
not
walk
in
London
without
attracting
unpleasant
attention
.
Perhaps
because
they
knew
not
the
way
either
to
walk
or
to
dress
.
Without
any
trouble
,
I
found
No.
19
,
Grove
Street
,
then
rang
the
bell
and
looked
round
me
.
It
was
a
clean
unpretentious
street
,
not
to
be
known
by
its
architecture
from
a
thousand
others
in
London
.
The
bell
was
answered
by
a
neat
little
girl
,
and
I
asked
for
the
Master
of
the
house
.
Clever
tactics
truly
for
commencing
a
task
like
mine
.
Being
told
that
the
Master
was
from
home
,
I
begged
to
see
the
Mistress
.
The
little
maid
hesitated
awhile
,
with
the
chain
of
the
door
in
her
hand
,
and
then
invited
me
into
the
parlour
,
a
small
room
,
but
neat
and
pretty
.
"
Please
,
Miss
,
what
name
shall
I
say
?
"
"
Miss
Vaughan
,
if
you
please
.
"
Then
I
said
to
myself
,
"
What
good
am
I
?
Is
this
my
detective
adroitness
?
"
Presently
a
nice
old
lady
,
with
snow-white
hair
,
came
in
.
"
Miss
Vaughan
,
"
she
asked
with
a
pleasant
smile
,
"
do
you
wish
to
see
me
?
"
"
Yes
,
if
you
please
.
Just
to
ask
a
few
questions
as
to
the
inmates
of
this
house
.
"
Despite
her
kindness
and
good
breeding
,
the
lady
stared
a
little
.
"
May
I
inquire
your
motives
?
Do
you
know
me
at
all
?
I
have
not
the
pleasure
of
knowing
you
.
"
"
My
motives
I
must
not
tell
you
.
But
,
as
a
lady
,
I
assure
you
,
that
curiosity
is
not
one
.
Neither
are
they
improper
.
"
She
looked
at
me
in
great
surprise
,
examined
me
closely
,
and
then
replied
:
"
Young
lady
,
I
believe
what
you
say
.
It
is
impossible
not
to
do
so
.
But
my
answering
you
must
depend
on
the
nature
of
your
inquiries
.
You
have
done
,
excuse
my
saying
it
,
you
have
done
a
very
odd
thing
.
"
"
I
will
not
ask
many
questions
.
How
many
people
live
here
?
"
"
I
will
answer
you
curtly
as
you
ask
,
unless
you
ask
what
I
do
not
choose
to
answer
.
Four
people
live
here
,
namely
,
my
husband
,
myself
,
our
only
daughter
—
but
for
whom
I
might
have
been
ruder
to
you
—
and
the
child
who
let
you
in
.
Also
a
woman
comes
every
day
to
work
.
"
"
Are
there
no
more
?
Forgive
my
impertinence
.
No
strangers
to
the
family
?
"
"
No
lodgers
whatever
.
My
son
is
employed
in
the
City
,
and
sleeps
there
.
My
only
daughter
is
in
very
weak
health
,
and
though
we
do
not
want
all
the
house
,
we
are
not
obliged
to
take
lodgers
.
A
thing
I
never
would
do
,
because
they
always
expect
to
be
cheated
.
"
"
And
is
your
husband
an
Englishman
?
"
"
Yes
,
and
an
English
writer
,
not
altogether
unknown
.
"
She
mentioned
a
name
of
good
repute
in
the
world
of
letters
,
as
even
I
was
aware
.
"
You
have
quite
satisfied
me
.
I
thank
you
most
heartily
.
Very
few
would
have
been
so
polite
and
kind
.
I
fear
you
must
think
me
a
very
singular
being
.
But
I
have
powerful
motive
,
and
am
quite
a
stranger
in
London
.
"
"
My
dear
,
I
knew
that
at
once
.
No
Londoner
would
have
learned
from
me
the
family
history
I
have
told
you
.
I
should
have
shown
them
out
at
the
very
first
question
.
Thank
you
,
oh
thank
you
,
my
child
.
But
I
am
sure
you
have
hurt
yourself
.
Oh
,
the
shell
has
run
into
your
forehead
.
"
As
she
looked
so
intently
at
me
,
on
her
way
to
the
door
of
the
room
,
her
foot
had
been
caught
by
the
claw
of
the
what-not
,
and
I
barely
saved
her
from
falling
.
"
No
,
Mrs.
Elton
,
I
am
not
hurt
at
all
.
How
stupid
of
me
,
to
be
sure
.
And
all
my
fault
that
you
fell
.
I
hope
the
shell
is
not
broken
.
Ah
,
I
bring
very
bad
luck
to
all
who
treat
me
kindly
.
"
"
The
shell
is
not
worth
sixpence
.
The
fault
was
all
my
own
.
If
you
had
not
been
wonderfully
quick
,
I
must
have
fallen
heavily
.
Pray
sit
down
,
and
recover
yourself
,
Miss
Vaughan
.
Look
,
you
have
dropped
a
letter
.
Dear
me
,
I
know
that
writing
!
Excuse
me
;
it
is
I
that
am
now
impertinent
.
"
"
If
you
know
that
writing
,
pray
tell
me
how
and
where
.
"
The
letter
she
had
seen
was
the
anonymous
one
which
brought
me
from
Devonshire
to
London
.
I
had
put
it
into
my
pocket
,
thinking
that
it
might
be
wanted
.
It
fell
out
as
I
leaped
forward
,
and
it
lay
on
the
floor
wide
open
.
"
May
I
look
at
the
writing
more
closely
?
Perhaps
I
am
deceived
.
"
For
a
while
I
hesitated
.
But
it
seemed
so
great
a
point
to
know
who
the
writer
was
,
that
I
hushed
my
hesitation
.
However
,
I
showed
the
letter
so
that
she
could
not
gather
its
import
.
"
Yes
,
"
said
Mrs.
Elton
,
"
I
am
quite
certain
now
.
That
is
the
writing
of
a
Polish
lady
,
whom
at
one
time
I
knew
well
.
My
husband
has
written
a
work
upon
Poland
,
which
brought
him
into
contact
with
some
of
the
refugees
.
Among
them
was
a
gentleman
of
some
scientific
attainments
,
who
had
a
pretty
lively
warm-hearted
wife
,
very
fond
of
dancing
,
and
very
fond
of
dogs
.
She
and
I
have
had
many
a
laugh
at
one
another
and
ourselves
;
for
,
though
my
hair
is
grey
,
I
am
fond
of
lively
people
.
"
"
And
where
is
that
lady
now
?
"
"
My
child
,
I
cannot
tell
you
.
Her
name
I
will
tell
you
,
if
you
like
,
when
I
have
consulted
my
husband
.
But
it
will
help
you
very
little
towards
finding
her
;
for
they
change
their
names
almost
every
time
they
move
.
Even
in
London
they
forget
that
they
are
not
heard
every
time
they
sneeze
.
The
furtive
habits
born
of
oppression
cling
about
them
still
.
"
"
And
where
did
they
live
at
the
time
you
knew
them
?
"
Wrung
by
suspense
and
anxiety
,
I
had
forgotten
good
manners
.
But
Mrs.
Elton
had
good
feeling
which
knows
when
to
dispense
with
them
.
Nevertheless
I
blushed
with
shame
at
my
own
effrontery
.
"
Not
very
far
from
here
,
in
a
part
that
is
called
'
Agar
Town
.
'
But
they
have
now
left
London
,
and
England
too
,
I
believe
.
I
must
tell
you
no
more
,
because
they
had
reasons
for
wishing
to
be
unknown
.
"
"
Only
tell
me
one
thing
.
Were
they
cruel
or
violent
people
?
"
"
The
very
opposite
.
Most
humane
and
warm-hearted
They
would
injure
no
one
,
and
hated
all
kinds
of
cruelty
.
How
pale
you
are
,
my
child
!
You
must
have
a
glass
of
wine
.
It
is
useless
to
say
no.
"
As
this
clue
,
which
seemed
so
promising
,
led
to
nothing
at
all
,
I
may
as
well
wind
it
up
at
once
,
and
not
tangle
my
story
with
it
.
Mr.
Elton
permitted
his
wife
to
tell
me
all
she
knew
about
the
Polish
exiles
,
for
they
were
gone
to
America
,
and
nothing
done
here
could
harm
them
.
But
at
the
same
time
he
made
me
promise
not
to
mention
to
the
police
,
if
my
case
should
ever
come
before
them
,
the
particulars
which
he
gave
me
;
and
I
am
sure
he
would
not
wish
me
to
make
free
with
the
gentleman
's
name
.
A
gentleman
he
was
,
as
both
my
kind
friends
assured
me
,
and
not
likely
to
conceal
any
atrocious
secret
,
unless
he
had
learned
it
in
a
way
which
laid
it
upon
his
honour
.
Mr.
Elton
had
never
been
intimate
with
him
,
and
knew
not
who
his
friends
were
,
but
Mrs.
Elton
had
liked
the
lady
who
was
very
kind
and
passionate
.
Also
she
was
very
apt
to
make
mistakes
in
English
names
,
and
to
become
confused
at
moments
of
excitement
.
Therefore
Mrs.
Elton
thought
that
she
had
confounded
the
Eltons
'
address
with
that
of
some
other
person
;
for
it
seemed
a
most
unlikely
thing
that
she
should
know
the
residents
at
two
Nos.
19
Grove
Street
.
However
so
it
proved
—
but
of
that
in
its
place
.
It
was
now
six
months
since
they
had
quitted
London
,
perhaps
on
account
of
the
climate
,
for
the
gentleman
had
been
ill
some
time
,
and
quite
confined
to
the
house
.
It
would
be
altogether
vain
to
think
of
tracing
them
in
America
.
While
living
in
London
they
owned
a
most
magnificent
dog
,
a
truly
noble
fellow
but
afflicted
with
a
tumour
.
This
dog
suddenly
disappeared
,
and
they
would
not
tell
what
had
become
of
him
,
but
the
lady
cried
most
violently
one
day
when
he
was
spoken
of
.
Directly
after
this
they
left
the
country
,
with
a
very
brief
farewell
.
All
this
I
learned
from
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Elton
during
my
second
visit
,
for
Mrs.
Elton
was
too
good
a
wife
to
dispense
with
her
husband
's
judgment
.
Also
I
saw
their
daughter
,
a
pleasing
delicate
girl
;
they
learned
of
course
some
parts
of
my
story
,
and
were
most
kind
and
affectionate
to
me
;
and
I
am
proud
to
have
preserved
their
friendship
to
the
present
time
.
But
as
they
take
no
prominent
share
in
the
drama
of
my
life
,
henceforth
they
will
not
be
presented
upon
its
stage
.
As
I
returned
up
the
Villa
Road
,
thinking
of
all
I
had
heard
,
and
feeling
down
at
heart
,
something
cold
was
gently
placed
in
my
ungloved
hand
.
Turning
in
surprise
and
fright
I
saw
an
enormous
dog
,
wagging
his
tail
,
and
looking
at
me
with
magnificent
brown
eyes
.
Those
great
brown
eyes
were
begging
clearly
for
the
honour
of
my
acquaintance
,
and
that
huge
muzzle
was
deposited
as
a
gage
of
love
.
As
I
stooped
to
ascertain
his
sentiments
,
he
gravely
raised
one
mighty
paw
and
offered
it
to
me
delicately
,
with
a
little
sigh
of
self-approval
.
Upon
my
accepting
it
frankly
and
begging
to
congratulate
him
upon
his
noble
appearance
and
evident
moral
excellence
,
he
put
out
his
tongue
,
a
brilliant
red
one
,
and
gave
me
a
serious
kiss
.
Then
he
shrugged
his
shoulders
and
looked
with
patient
contempt
at
a
nicely-dressed
young
lady
,
who
was
exerting
her
lungs
at
a
silver
whistle
some
fifty
yards
down
the
road
.
"
Go
,
good
dog
,
"
I
said
with
a
smile
,
"
run
,
that
's
a
good
dog
,
your
Mistress
wants
you
immediately
.
"
"
Let
her
wait
,
"
he
said
with
his
eyes
,
"
I
am
not
in
a
hurry
this
morning
,
and
she
does
n't
know
what
to
do
with
her
time
.
However
,
if
you
think
it
would
be
rude
of
me
—
"
And
with
that
he
resumed
a
long
bone
,
laid
aside
while
he
chatted
to
me
,
tucked
it
lengthwise
in
his
mouth
,
like
a
tobacco-pipe
,
and
after
shaking
hands
again
,
and
saying
"
Now
do
n't
forget
me
,
"
the
great
dog
trotted
away
sedately
,
flourishing
his
tail
on
high
,
like
a
plume
of
Pampas
grass
.
At
the
corner
of
the
railings
he
overtook
his
young
Mistress
,
whose
features
I
could
not
descry
;
though
from
her
air
and
walk
I
knew
that
she
must
be
a
pretty
girl
.
A
good-tempered
one
too
she
seemed
to
be
,
for
she
only
shook
her
little
whip
lightly
at
the
dog
,
who
made
an
excursion
across
the
road
and
sniffed
at
a
heap
of
dust
.
CHAPTER
X
.
Although
Ann
Maples
was
not
so
very
talkative
,
it
would
be
romantic
to
suppose
that
Mrs.
Shelfer
had
failed
to
learn
my
entire
history
,
so
far
at
least
as
her
cousin
knew
it
.
Having
now
disposed
of
one
Grove
Street
,
I
was
about
to
try
the
same
rude
tactics
with
another
,
viz.
that
in
Hackney
;
when
my
landlady
gave
a
little
nervous
knock
,
and
hurried
into
the
room
.
"
Oh
,
Miss
Vaughan
,
is
it
about
them
willains
you
are
wandering
about
and
taking
on
so
,
and
frightening
all
of
us
nearly
to
death
?
"
"
Mrs.
Shelfer
,
I
shall
feel
obliged
by
your
leaving
me
to
manage
my
own
affairs
.
"
"
Bless
you
,
Miss
,
so
I
will
.
I
would
n't
have
them
on
my
mind
for
the
Bank
of
England
,
and
Guildhall
,
paved
with
Lombard
Street
,
and
so
I
told
Charley
last
night
.
Right
,
my
good
friend
,
quite
right
,
you
may
depend
upon
it
.
"
Here
she
tapped
her
forehead
,
and
looked
mysterious
.
"
That
being
so
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
,
I
need
say
nothing
more
;
"
and
with
that
I
was
going
away
.
"
No
,
no
,
to
be
sure
not
.
Only
listen
to
me
,
Miss
,
one
minute
;
and
I
knows
more
about
willains
,
a
deal
more
than
you
do
of
course
,
Miss.
Why
,
ever
since
that
rogue
who
come
to
Miss
Minto
's
with
brandyballs
and
rabbitskins
on
a
stick
.
"
"
Once
more
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
,
I
have
no
time
to
spare
for
gossip
—
"
"
Gossip
!
No
,
no
,
Miss
Vaughan
;
if
you
ever
heard
any
one
say
Patty
Shelfer
was
a
'
gossip
,
'
I
'll
thank
you
for
their
name
.
Gossip
!
A
mercy
on
me
with
all
I
has
to
do
,
and
the
days
drawing
in
so
,
and
how
they
does
charge
for
the
gas
,
and
the
directors
holds
a
meeting
first
Tuesday
in
every
month
,
and
fills
up
the
pipes
with
spittle
,
that
's
the
reason
it
sputters
so
,
Charley
told
me
.
"
"
Good
bye
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
.
"
"
No
,
no.
One
minute
,
Miss
Vaughan
;
you
are
always
in
such
a
hurry
.
What
Charley
and
me
was
talking
about
last
night
was
this
.
My
Uncle
John
,
a
very
high
class
man
,
first-rate
,
first-rate
,
Miss
Vaughan
,
has
been
for
ever
so
long
in
the
detective
police
.
There
's
nothing
he
do
n't
know
of
what
goes
on
in
London
,
from
the
rats
as
comes
up
the
drain
pipes
to
the
Queen
getting
up
on
her
throne
.
A
wonderful
man
he
is
.
I
said
t'other
day
—
"
"
Is
he
like
you
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
?
"
"
Like
me
,
my
good
friend
!
No
,
no.
And
I
would
n't
be
like
him
for
something
.
With
all
them
state
secrets
upon
him
.
Why
he
dare
n't
sneeze
out
of
his
hat
.
But
if
you
'll
only
put
off
going
again
till
to-morrow
,
he
'll
be
here
this
very
night
about
the
plate
they
stole
in
the
Square
.
And
I
'm
sure
you
ca
n't
do
better
than
hear
what
he
thinks
about
you
.
He
'll
be
sure
to
know
all
that
was
done
at
the
time
.
Bless
you
,
he
has
got
to
make
all
the
returns
;
what
that
is
,
I
do
n't
know
.
It
's
a
kind
of
tobacco
Charley
says
,
that
they
smokes
in
the
Queen
's
pipe
.
But
I
think
it
's
the
convicts
as
returns
from
Botany
Bay
.
"
"
Well
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
,
I
'll
think
of
what
you
say
,
and
I
am
much
obliged
to
you
for
the
suggestion
;
but
I
ca
n't
bear
the
idea
of
coming
before
the
Police
again
,
with
a
matter
in
which
they
failed
so
signally
.
"
"
But
you
know
,
my
good
friend
,
it
need
not
be
put
on
the
books
at
all
.
He
'll
tell
us
what
he
thinks
of
it
,
private
like
,
and
for
the
love
of
the
thing
.
"
"
If
I
see
him
at
all
,
I
must
beg
to
see
him
alone
.
"
"
To
be
sure
,
my
good
friend
.
Quite
right
,
Miss
Vaughan
,
quite
right
.
I
'm
sure
I
would
rather
have
the
plumber
's
ladle
put
to
my
ear
,
than
one
of
them
horrible
secrets
.
"
"
Mrs.
Shelfer
,
have
I
told
you
any
?
Now
remember
,
if
you
ever
again
allude
to
this
subject
before
me
,
I
leave
your
house
that
day
.
You
ought
to
know
better
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
.
"
"
You
are
quite
right
,
Miss
Vaughan
;
I
ask
your
pardon
,
you
are
quite
right
.
The
very
words
as
Charley
said
to
me
the
other
night
.
'
You
ought
to
have
knowed
better
,
Patty
,
that
you
did
.
'
"
Away
she
went
,
smoothing
her
apron
,
patting
the
fray
of
her
hair
—
for
she
never
wore
side-combs
—
and
mumbling
down
the
stairs
.
"
Quite
right
,
my
good
friend
,
quite
right
,
I
ought
to
have
knowed
better
,
poor
thing
.
"
She
brought
up
my
dinner
and
tea
,
without
a
single
word
,
but
with
many
sly
glances
at
me
from
her
quick
grey
eyes
.
Once
or
twice
she
was
at
the
point
of
speaking
,
and
the
dry
smile
she
always
spoke
with
fluttered
upon
her
face
;
but
she
closed
her
lips
firmly
and
even
bit
them
to
keep
herself
in
.
I
could
scarcely
help
laughing
,
for
I
liked
the
odd
little
thing
;
but
she
was
so
free
with
her
tongue
,
that
the
lesson
was
sadly
wanted
.
Late
in
the
evening
,
she
came
to
say
that
Inspector
Cutting
was
there
,
and
would
come
up
if
I
wished
it
.
Upon
my
request
he
came
,
and
one
look
was
enough
to
show
that
his
niece
had
not
misdescribed
him
.
An
elderly
man
,
but
active
looking
and
wiry
,
with
nothing
remarkable
in
his
features
,
except
the
clear
cast
of
his
forehead
and
the
firm
set
of
his
mouth
.
But
the
quick
intelligence
that
shot
from
his
eyes
made
it
seem
waste
of
time
to
finish
telling
him
anything
.
For
this
reason
,
polite
though
he
was
,
it
became
unpleasant
to
talk
to
him
.
It
was
something
like
shooting
at
divers
—
as
my
father
used
to
describe
it
—
for
whom
the
flash
of
the
gun
is
enough
.
Yet
he
never
once
stopped
or
hurried
me
,
until
my
tale
was
done
,
and
all
my
thoughts
laid
bare
.
Then
he
asked
to
see
all
my
relics
and
vestiges
of
the
deed
;
even
my
gordit
did
not
escape
him
.
"
L.D.O.
"
he
said
shortly
,
"
do
you
speak
Italian
?
'
"
I
can
read
it
,
but
not
speak
it
.
"
"
Is
it
commoner
for
Italian
surnames
to
begin
with
an
O
,
or
with
a
C
?
"
"
There
are
plenty
beginning
with
both
;
but
more
I
should
think
with
a
C
.
"
When
all
my
particulars
had
been
told
,
and
all
my
evidence
shown
,
I
asked
with
breathless
interest
—
for
my
confidence
in
him
grew
fast
—
what
his
opinion
was
.
"
Allow
me
,
young
lady
,
to
put
a
few
questions
to
you
,
on
matters
you
have
not
mentioned
.
Forgive
me
,
if
they
pain
you
.
I
believe
you
feel
that
they
will
not
be
impertinent
.
"
I
promised
to
answer
without
reserve
.
"
What
was
your
mother
's
personal
appearance
?
"
"
Most
winning
and
delicate
.
"
"
How
old
was
she
at
the
time
of
her
marriage
?
"
"
Twenty-one
,
I
believe
.
"
"
How
old
was
your
father
then
?
"
"
Twenty-five
.
"
"
How
many
years
were
they
married
?
"
"
Sixteen
,
exactly
.
"
"
When
did
your
guardian
first
leave
England
?
"
"
In
the
course
of
a
year
or
two
after
the
marriage
.
"
"
Had
there
been
any
misunderstanding
between
him
and
your
father
?
"
"
None
,
that
I
ever
heard
of
.
"
"
Did
your
father
,
at
any
time
,
travel
on
the
continent
?
"
"
Only
in
Switzerland
,
and
part
of
Italy
,
during
his
wedding
tour
.
"
"
Your
guardian
returned
,
I
believe
,
at
intervals
to
England
?
"
I
had
never
told
him
this
.
"
Yes
.
At
least
I
suppose
so
,
or
he
would
not
have
been
in
London
.
"
"
Did
he
visit
then
at
Vaughan
Park
?
"
"
Not
once
within
my
memory
.
"
"
Thank
you
.
I
will
ask
no
more
.
It
is
a
strange
story
;
but
I
have
known
several
much
more
strange
.
Of
one
thing
be
assured
.
I
shall
catch
the
criminal
.
I
need
not
tell
you
that
I
heard
much
of
this
case
at
the
time
.
"
"
Were
you
sent
down
to
Gloucestershire
?
"
"
No.
If
I
had
been
—
well
,
I
will
not
say
.
But
I
was
not
then
in
my
present
position
.
Had
I
been
so
,
it
would
have
become
my
special
department
.
"
"
Pray
keep
me
no
more
in
suspense
.
Tell
me
what
you
think
.
"
"
That
I
must
not
do
,
or
you
should
know
it
at
once
,
for
my
opinion
is
formed
.
It
would
be
a
breach
of
duty
for
me
to
tell
you
now
.
"
"
Oh
,
"
I
cried
in
my
disappointment
,
"
I
wish
I
had
never
seen
you
.
"
"
Young
lady
,
you
have
done
your
duty
in
placing
the
matter
before
me
,
and
some
day
you
will
rejoice
that
you
did
so
.
One
piece
of
advice
I
will
give
you
:
change
your
name
immediately
,
before
even
the
tradesmen
about
here
know
it
.
"
"
Change
my
name
,
Inspector
Cutting
!
Do
you
think
I
am
ashamed
of
my
name
?
"
"
Certainly
not
.
You
have
shown
great
intelligence
when
a
mere
child
;
exert
but
a
little
now
,
and
you
will
see
the
good
sense
,
or
rather
the
necessity
,
of
my
recommendation
.
When
you
have
gained
your
object
,
you
may
resume
your
name
with
pride
.
You
have
given
your
information
,
Miss
Vaughan
,
as
clearly
as
ever
I
knew
a
female
give
it
.
"
If
I
detest
anything
,
in
the
way
of
small
things
,
it
is
to
be
called
a
"
female
.
"
So
I
said
coldly
;
"
Inspector
Cutting
,
I
thank
you
for
the
compliment
.
It
would
be
strange
indeed
if
I
could
not
tell
with
precision
,
what
I
have
thought
of
all
my
life
.
"
"
Excuse
me
,
Miss
,
it
would
not
be
strange
at
all
,
in
a
female
.
And
now
I
will
wish
you
'
good
night
.
'
You
shall
hear
from
me
when
needful
.
Meanwhile
,
I
will
take
charge
of
these
articles
.
"
He
began
,
in
the
coolest
manner
,
to
pack
up
my
sacred
relics
,
dagger
,
casts
,
and
all
.
"
Indeed
you
wo
n't
,
"
I
cried
,
"
you
shall
not
have
one
of
them
.
What
are
you
thinking
of
?
"
He
went
on
with
his
packing
.
I
saw
he
was
resolute
;
so
was
I
.
I
sprang
to
the
door
,
locked
it
,
and
put
the
key
in
my
pocket
.
He
said
nothing
,
but
smiled
.
"
Now
,
"
I
exclaimed
in
triumph
,
"
you
cannot
take
those
away
,
unless
you
dare
to
outrage
a
young
lady
.
"
I
was
wholly
mistaken
.
He
passed
by
,
without
touching
me
,
drew
some
instrument
from
his
waistcoat
pocket
,
and
the
door
stood
open
before
him
.
All
my
treasures
were
in
his
left
hand
.
I
flew
at
,
and
snatched
them
,
and
then
let
go
with
a
scream
.
A
gush
of
blood
poured
from
my
hand
.
He
had
taken
the
dagger
folded
in
paper
only
,
and
I
was
cut
to
the
bone
.
I
sank
on
a
chair
and
fainted
.
When
I
came
to
myself
,
Mrs.
Shelfer
was
kneeling
before
me
,
with
her
feet
in
a
basin
of
water
,
while
two
other
basins
,
and
numberless
towels
,
were
round
.
Mrs.
Shelfer
was
rubbing
my
other
hand
,
and
crying
and
talking
desperately
about
her
bad
luck
that
day
,
and
a
man
with
eyes
crossed
whom
she
had
met
in
the
morning
.
In
the
background
stood
Mr.
Shelfer
himself
,
whom
I
had
hitherto
failed
to
see
,
though
I
believe
he
had
seen
me
often
.
He
had
a
pipe
in
his
mouth
about
a
yard
long
,
and
seemed
wholly
undisturbed
.
"
All
right
,
old
'
ooman
,
"
he
said
deliberately
through
his
nose
,
as
he
saw
that
I
perceived
him
,
"
she
'll
do
now
,
if
you
do
n't
make
too
much
rumpus
.
"
And
with
that
he
disappeared
,
and
I
had
time
to
pity
myself
.
The
hand
the
poor
farmer
used
so
to
admire
,
and
which
I
was
proud
of
no
doubt
,
in
my
way
,
lay
in
a
dishcloth
covered
and
oozing
with
blood
.
But
my
relics
were
on
the
table
,
all
safe
.
A
quick
step
was
heard
on
the
stairs
,
and
Inspector
Cutting
came
in
,
carrying
a
small
phial
.
"
Out
of
the
way
,
Patty
,
"
he
cried
,
"
you
are
doing
more
harm
than
good
.
"
He
took
up
a
basin
of
cold
water
,
and
poured
half
the
contents
of
the
little
phial
into
it
.
"
Now
hold
her
arm
up
,
Patty
,
as
high
as
you
can
.
I
never
knew
arnica
fail
.
"
My
hand
was
put
into
the
water
,
and
the
bleeding
was
stanched
in
a
minute
or
two
.
However
he
kept
it
there
for
a
quarter
of
an
hour
,
till
it
was
quite
benumbed
.
"
Now
you
may
look
at
your
hand
,
Miss
Vaughan
;
it
will
not
be
disfigured
at
all
.
There
will
be
no
inflammation
.
Patty
,
fetch
me
some
cambric
and
the
best
lard
;
put
the
young
lady
to
bed
at
once
,
and
prop
her
arm
up
a
little
.
"
I
looked
at
my
hand
,
and
found
three
parallel
gashes
across
it
,
for
every
edge
of
the
weapon
was
keen
.
But
only
one
wound
was
deep
,
viz.
that
across
the
palm
,
which
was
very
deep
under
the
thumb
.
I
have
the
mark
of
it
still
.
All
the
wounds
were
edged
with
a
narrow
yellow
line
.
"
Inspector
Cutting
,
"
I
cried
,
"
no
power
will
move
me
from
here
,
until
you
promise
not
to
steal
my
property
.
Stealing
it
is
,
and
nothing
else
.
You
have
no
warrant
,
and
my
information
to
you
was
wholly
unofficial
.
"
The
last
word
seemed
to
move
him
.
They
all
like
big
words
,
however
clear-headed
they
are
.
"
Miss
Vaughan
,
under
these
special
circumstances
,
I
will
promise
what
you
require
;
upon
condition
that
you
give
me
accurate
drawings
,
for
I
see
that
you
can
make
them
.
"
"
Certainly
,
when
my
hand
is
well
enough
.
"
"
Believe
me
,
I
am
deeply
concerned
at
what
has
occurred
.
But
the
fault
was
all
your
own
.
How
dare
you
obstruct
the
Police
?
But
I
wish
some
of
my
fellows
had
only
half
your
spirit
.
A
little
more
experience
,
and
nothing
will
escape
you
.
Come
,
Miss
Vaughan
,
though
you
are
a
lady
,
or
rather
because
you
are
one
,
give
me
your
left
hand
,
in
token
that
you
forgive
me
.
"
I
did
so
with
all
my
heart
.
I
liked
him
much
better
since
I
had
defeated
him
;
and
I
saw
that
it
was
well
worth
the
pain
,
for
he
would
do
his
utmost
to
make
amends
.
He
wished
me
good
night
with
a
most
respectful
bow
.
"
I
will
come
and
inquire
how
you
are
to-morrow
,
Miss
Vaughan
.
Patty
,
quiet
,
and
coolness
,
and
change
the
lard
frequently
.
No
doctor
,
if
you
please
;
and
above
all
hold
your
queer
little
tongue
.
"
"
Never
fear
me
,
Uncle
John
;
you
are
right
,
my
good
friend
,
it
is
a
little
tongue
,
but
no
queerer
than
my
neighbours
.
"
Inspector
Cutting
would
have
formed
a
far
lower
opinion
of
my
spirit
,
if
he
had
seen
how
I
cried
that
night
;
not
from
the
pain
of
the
wounds
,
I
am
sure
,
but
to
think
of
the
fuss
dear
mother
would
have
made
about
them
.
CHAPTER
XI
.
In
spite
of
the
arnica
,
my
cuts
were
not
healed
for
a
month
;
not
enough
,
I
mean
,
for
me
to
handle
a
pencil
.
Mr.
Cutting
,
when
he
came
,
according
to
promise
,
told
me
something
to
quiet
me
,
because
I
was
so
feverish
.
Whether
he
believed
it
,
or
only
acted
medically
,
was
more
than
I
could
decide
.
The
opinion
he
gave
me
,
or
the
substance
of
it
,
was
this
.
That
the
deed
was
done
,
not
for
money
,
or
worldly
advantage
in
any
way
,
but
for
revenge
.
Here
I
thought
of
Mrs.
Daldy
.
What
wrong
the
revenge
was
wreaked
for
,
he
could
not
even
guess
,
or
at
any
rate
would
not
hint
to
me
.
That
the
straightest
clue
to
the
mystery
was
to
be
sought
in
Italy
,
where
my
guardian
's
track
should
be
followed
carefully
.
The
idea
of
forcing
,
or
worming
,
the
truth
from
him
was
rejected
at
once
through
my
description
of
his
character
;
although
the
Inspector
quite
agreed
with
me
,
that
,
even
if
guiltless
of
the
crime
,
Mr.
Edgar
Vaughan
knew
all
about
it
now
.
That
no
importance
should
be
attached
to
the
anonymous
letter
from
London
;
in
accordance
with
my
promise
to
Mrs.
Elton
,
I
did
not
mention
the
Polish
lady
's
name
;
and
Mr.
Cutting
did
not
press
me
to
do
so
,
for
he
firmly
believed
from
what
I
said
that
she
had
made
a
mistake
in
the
address
she
gave
,
and
would
not
help
us
now
,
even
if
we
could
find
her
.
That
nevertheless
a
strict
watch
should
be
kept
in
London
,
whither
flock
nine-tenths
of
the
foreigners
who
ever
set
foot
in
this
country
.
London
moreover
was
likely
,
ere
long
,
to
draw
nearly
all
the
migratory
strangers
to
the
business
or
pleasure
of
next
year
's
"
Great
Exhibition
,
"
provided
only
that
it
should
prove
successful
,
as
the
Inspector
thought
it
would
.
As
for
my
enemy
being
attracted
by
works
of
industry
,
it
seemed
to
me
quite
against
nature
that
a
base
assassin
should
care
for
art
or
science
,
or
any
national
progress
.
But
the
remembrance
of
several
cases
,
among
the
dark
annals
I
used
to
delight
in
,
soon
proved
to
me
my
error
;
while
the
long
experience
of
a
man
,
versed
from
his
youth
in
criminal
ways
,
convicted
me
of
presumption
.
To
put
myself
more
on
a
level
with
fraud
,
and
stealth
,
and
mystery
,
I
did
a
thing
for
which
I
felt
guilty
to
myself
and
my
mother
.
I
changed
my
name
.
But
,
in
spite
of
Inspector
Cutting
,
I
did
not
travel
out
of
the
family
.
My
father
's
second
name
was
"
Valentine
,
"
taken
from
his
mother
.
This
name
I
assumed
in
a
shorter
form
,
becoming
"
Clara
Valence
;
"
it
saved
change
of
initials
and
a
world
of
trouble
,
and
I
felt
warmer
in
it
,
because
it
seemed
to
have
been
my
father
's
.
In
the
neighbourhood
I
knew
no
one
except
Mrs.
Elton
,
to
whom
(
as
I
grew
intimate
with
her
)
I
partly
explained
my
reasons
.
As
for
Mrs.
Shelfer
,
she
was
delighted
at
the
change
.
She
said
that
her
Uncle
John
had
christened
me
,
that
it
sounded
much
prettier
,
and
would
always
remind
her
of
Valentines
.
Nevertheless
I
longed
for
the
day
when
I
might
call
myself
"
Clara
Vaughan
"
once
more
.
By
the
time
I
was
able
to
go
about
freely
again
and
use
my
hand
as
of
old
,
it
was
the
middle
of
November
.
The
first
use
I
made
of
my
pencil
was
to
copy
most
carefully
all
that
Inspector
Cutting
required
.
He
promised
to
keep
these
drawings
,
and
indeed
the
whole
matter
,
most
jealously
to
himself
;
by
which
term
he
meant
,
as
I
afterwards
found
,
Inspector
Cutting
and
those
to
whom
he
was
bound
to
report
.
What
I
now
wanted
was
money
,
to
send
an
adroit
inquirer
throughout
the
North
of
Italy
,
and
other
parts
where
my
guardian
's
shifting
abode
had
been
.
I
knew
that
he
dwelt
awhile
at
Pisa
,
Genoa
,
and
Milan
,
also
at
an
obscure
little
village
named
"
Calva
,
"
which
I
could
not
find
in
the
maps
.
All
I
had
learned
of
his
rovings
was
from
the
lessons
my
father
would
give
me
sometimes
,
when
he
used
to
say
,
"
Now
,
Tooty
,
put
your
finger
on
Uncle
Edgar
.
"
To
every
one
,
but
myself
,
it
seemed
a
strange
thing
that
after
so
many
wanderings
,
Mr.
Edgar
Vaughan
had
brought
no
valet
,
major
domo
,
or
courier
,
no
dependant
or
retainer
of
any
kind
,
and
not
even
a
foreign
friend
to
England
,
or
at
any
rate
to
Vaughan
Park
.
But
now
for
the
needful
resources
—
the
only
chance
of
procuring
them
lay
in
my
young
and
partly
self-tutored
art
.
I
braced
myself
with
the
remembrance
,
that
while
none
of
my
family
ever
laid
claim
to
genius
,
the
limner
's
faculty
had
never
been
wanting
among
them
.
Inferior
gifts
are
often
as
heirlooms
in
the
blood
,
though
high
original
power
follows
no
vein
except
its
own
.
The
latter
none
of
us
ever
possessed
;
but
taste
and
the
knack
of
adaptation
had
seldom
been
alienated
.
Observation
too
,
in
a
small
way
,
and
the
love
of
nature
seemed
inborn
in
us
all
.
My
father
's
drawings
were
perfect
,
but
for
the
one
thing
wanted
;
and
in
sketches
from
outdoor
nature
that
want
was
less
perceived
.
My
grandfather
had
been
known
among
the
few
amateurs
of
the
day
as
a
skilful
colourist
.
As
to
habits
of
observation
,
a
little
tale
handed
down
in
our
family
will
show
that
they
had
existed
in
one
of
its
members
seven
generations
ago
.
In
the
autumn
of
1651
,
when
King
Charles
was
stealing
along
from
Colonel
Wyndham
's
house
to
the
coast
of
Hampshire
and
Sussex
,
the
little
band
was
overtaken
by
nightfall
,
somewhere
near
the
New
Forest
.
It
was
shortly
after
the
narrow
escape
of
the
King
from
that
observant
blacksmith
,
who
saw
that
his
horse
was
shod
with
North-country
iron
.
Though
he
was
taking
it
easily
,
his
three
trusty
friends
knew
well
that
a
Roundhead
Squadron
was
near
,
and
that
his
last
chance
depended
on
speed
and
night
travel
.
What
could
they
do
now
in
the
tempestuous
darkness
?
They
were
in
a
tract
thinly
inhabited
,
half
woodland
,
half
heather
,
and
the
road
was
hopelessly
lost
.
No
rain
fell
as
yet
it
was
true
,
and
the
wind
was
waiting
for
rain
,
but
the
lightning
came
fitfully
from
the
horizon
all
round
.
The
King
alone
was
on
horseback
,
his
three
companions
afoot
.
They
stood
still
in
doubt
and
terror
,
for
they
could
not
tell
north
from
south
.
Suddenly
Major
Cecil
Vaughan
espied
a
faint
gleam
familiar
to
him
of
old
in
the
waste
land
round
Vaughan
Park
.
To
an
accurate
eye
there
could
be
little
doubt
as
to
the
source
of
the
lambent
light
—
flame
it
could
not
be
called
.
It
played
in
a
pale
yet
constant
stream
on
a
certain
kind
of
moss
,
known
to
botanists
,
not
to
me
,
for
the
waste
lands
have
been
reclaimed
.
This
light
is
to
be
seen
at
no
time
,
except
when
the
air
is
surcharged
with
electricity
.
"
Follow
me
all
;
I
know
the
way
!
"
cried
Major
Vaughan
,
right
cheerily
.
"
And
if
you
do
,
man
,
"
said
the
King
,
"
your
eyes
are
made
of
dashers
.
"
[
What
this
meant
,
I
used
as
a
child
to
wonder
;
but
now
I
know
.
]
For
six
dark
miles
the
Major
led
them
without
default
,
until
they
came
to
a
lonely
heathman
's
house
,
where
they
slept
in
safety
.
He
never
told
them
how
he
did
it
;
being
apt
,
I
suppose
,
as
men
of
the
second
order
are
,
to
hug
superior
knowledge
.
But
it
was
a
most
simple
thing
.
That
strangely
sensitive
moss
follows
the
course
of
the
sun
,
and
therefore
the
lambent
light
can
only
be
seen
from
the
west
.
So
all
the
time
he
could
see
it
—
the
others
never
saw
it
at
all
—
he
knew
that
they
were
wending
from
west
to
east
,
which
was
their
proper
course
.
To
return
to
myself
.
I
put
the
finishing
touch
to
a
view
of
rock
and
woodland
scenery
,
north-west
of
Tossil
's
Barton
,
and
set
off
to
try
my
fortune
with
it
.
Some
young
ladies
,
born
to
my
position
,
would
have
thought
this
errand
one
of
much
degradation
,
but
it
did
not
appear
so
to
me
.
So
I
walked
briskly
—
for
I
hate
an
omnibus
,
and
could
ill
afford
a
cab
—
to
the
shop
of
a
well-known
dealer
in
pictures
,
not
far
from
the
Haymarket
.
It
was
my
first
venture
into
the
heart
of
London
,
but
I
found
the
way
very
easily
,
having
jotted
it
down
from
a
map
.
The
day
was
dark
and
drizzly
;
the
pavement
grimy
and
slimy
,
and
hillocked
with
mud
at
the
joints
of
the
flags
.
It
was
like
walking
on
a
peeled
kneading-trough
with
dollops
of
paste
left
in
it
.
Along
the
far
reach
of
the
streets
,
and
the
gardens
in
the
squares
,
wisps
of
fog
were
crawling
,
and
almost
every
one
was
coughing
.
The
dealer
received
me
politely
.
Too
politely
in
fact
:
for
it
seemed
to
savour
of
kindness
,
which
I
did
not
want
from
him
.
What
I
wanted
was
business
,
and
nothing
else
.
He
took
my
poor
drawing
,
done
only
in
water-colours
,
and
set
it
up
in
a
square
place
made
perhaps
for
the
purpose
,
where
the
brown
flaw
fell
upon
it
from
a
skylight
formed
like
a
Devonshire
chimney
.
Then
he
drew
back
and
clasped
his
hands
,
then
shaded
his
eyes
with
them
,
as
if
the
light
were
too
strong
,
whereas
the
whole
place
was
like
a
well
turned
upside
down
.
He
seemed
uneasy
because
I
did
not
care
to
follow
him
throughout
all
this
little
performance
.
"
And
now
,
"
I
said
,
for
my
foolish
pride
was
up
,
and
I
spoke
as
I
would
have
done
to
the
porter
at
our
lodge
,
not
with
the
least
contempt
—
I
was
never
so
low
as
that
—
but
with
a
long
perspective
,
"
Now
,
Mr.
Oxgall
,
it
will
soon
be
dark
.
What
will
you
give
me
for
it
?
"
"
Allow
me
,
Miss
;
allow
me
one
moment
.
The
light
is
a
leetle
too
strong
.
Ah
,
the
mark
of
the
brush
comes
out
.
Strong
touch
,
but
indiscreet
.
A
year
of
study
required
.
Shade
too
broad
and
massive
.
A
want
of
tone
in
the
background
.
Great
feeling
of
nature
,
but
inexperienced
rendering
.
More
mellowness
desiderated
.
Full
however
of
promise
.
All
the
faults
on
the
right
side
.
Most
energetic
handling
;
no
weak
stippling
here
.
But
water-colours
are
down
just
now
;
a
deal
depends
on
the
weather
and
time
of
year
.
"
"
How
so
,
Mr.
Oxgall
?
"
"
Hot
sun
,
and
off
they
go
.
Fog
and
murk
and
frost
,
and
the
cry
is
all
for
oil
.
Excuse
me
,
Miss
—
a
thousand
pardons
,
your
name
escaped
me
,
you
did
not
pronounce
it
strongly
.
"
"
Miss
Valence
!
"
I
said
,
with
an
emphasis
that
startled
him
out
of
his
mincing
.
"
Miss
Valence
,
you
think
me
very
long
.
All
young
ladies
do
.
But
my
object
is
to
do
them
justice
,
and
if
they
show
any
power
,
to
encourage
them
.
"
"
Thank
you
,
I
want
no
encouragement
.
I
know
I
can
draw
a
little
;
and
there
it
is
.
The
fog
is
thickening
.
I
have
far
to
go
.
Your
price
,
if
you
please
?
"
I
went
up
many
steps
in
his
opinion
,
by
reason
of
my
curtness
and
independence
.
"
Miss
Valence
,
I
will
give
you
three
guineas
,
although
no
doubt
I
shall
be
a
loser
.
"
"
Then
do
n't
give
it
,
"
said
I
in
pure
simplicity
.
I
went
up
several
steps
more
.
How
utterly
men
of
the
world
are
puzzled
by
plain
truth
!
"
Miss
Valence
,
if
you
will
forgive
the
observation
,
I
would
beg
to
remark
that
your
conversation
as
well
as
your
painting
is
crisp
.
I
will
take
this
little
piece
at
all
hazards
,
because
it
is
full
of
character
.
Will
you
forgive
me
for
one
word
of
advice
?
"
"
There
is
nothing
to
forgive
.
I
shall
thank
you
heartily
for
it
.
"
"
It
is
simply
this
:
—
The
worst
part
of
your
work
is
the
perspective
.
And
figure-drawing
will
be
of
service
to
you
.
Study
at
a
school
of
design
,
if
you
have
one
near
you
;
and
be
not
above
drawing
stiff
and
unsightly
objects
.
Houses
are
the
true
guides
to
perspective
.
I
cannot
paint
or
even
draw
;
but
I
am
so
much
with
great
artists
,
that
I
know
well
how
to
advise
.
"
"
Thank
you
.
Can
you
kindly
suggest
anything
more
?
"
"
Yes
.
Your
touch
is
here
and
there
too
harsh
.
Keep
your
hand
light
though
bold
,
and
your
brush
just
a
leetle
wetter
.
But
you
have
the
grand
things
quite
unattainable
,
when
not
in
the
grain
.
I
mean
,
of
course
,
freedom
of
handling
and
an
artist
's
eye
.
"
"
Do
you
think
I
could
do
any
good
in
oils
?
"
"
I
have
no
doubt
you
could
,
but
not
for
a
long
time
.
If
fame
is
your
object
,
take
to
oils
.
If
speedy
returns
,
stick
to
water-colours
.
Leave
me
your
address
,
if
you
have
no
objection
;
and
bring
me
your
next
work
.
If
I
do
well
with
this
,
I
will
try
to
give
you
more
.
"
He
took
from
a
desk
three
new
sovereigns
and
three
new
shillings
,
wrapped
them
neatly
in
silver
paper
,
and
handed
them
to
me
.
I
never
imagined
I
could
be
so
proud
of
money
.
Light
of
heart
I
left
the
shop
,
not
that
I
had
made
my
fortune
yet
,
but
what
was
greater
happiness
,
I
thought
myself
likely
to
make
it
.
Soon
I
perceived
,
with
some
alarm
,
how
thick
and
murky
the
air
had
grown
.
The
fog
was
stooping
heavily
down
,
and
was
now
become
like
a
wash
of
gamboge
and
lamp-black
.
All
the
street-lamps
were
lit
,
though
they
could
not
see
one
another
,
and
every
shop-keeper
had
his
little
jet
.
The
pavement
was
no
longer
slippery
,
but
sticky
and
dry
;
and
a
cold
,
that
pierced
to
the
bones
,
was
stealing
along
.
Already
it
had
begun
to
freeze
;
and
I
,
so
familiar
both
with
white
and
black
frost
,
observed
with
no
small
interest
the
grey
or
fog-frost
,
which
was
new
to
me
.
How
different
from
the
pure
whiteness
when
the
stars
are
sparkling
,
and
the
earth
is
gleaming
,
and
the
spirit
of
man
so
buoyant
!
This
grey
fog-frost
is
rather
depressing
to
most
natures
,
and
a
chilly
damp
creeps
to
the
core
of
all
things
.
Thick
encrusting
rime
comes
with
it
,
and
sometimes
a
freezing
rain
.
Before
I
reached
the
New
Road
,
the
fog
had
grown
so
dense
and
dark
,
that
I
was
much
inclined
to
take
a
cab
,
for
fear
of
losing
my
way
.
But
I
could
not
see
one
,
and
finding
myself
at
last
in
a
main
thoroughfare
called
the
Hampstead
Road
,
I
walked
on
briskly
and
bravely
till
I
reached
Camden
Town
,
when
I
knew
what
course
to
pursue
.
Slowly
wending
up
College
Street
,
for
I
was
getting
tired
and
the
fog
thicker
than
ever
,
indeed
every
step
seemed
a
thrust
into
an
ochred
wall
,
I
heard
a
plaintive
,
and
rather
musical
,
voice
chanting
,
much
as
follows
:
—
"
Christian
friends
,
and
sisters
in
the
Lord
,
all
who
own
a
heart
that
feels
for
undeserved
distress
,
aid
,
I
implore
you
,
a
bereaved
wife
and
mother
,
who
has
this
very
moment
seven
small
lovely
children
,
starving
in
a
garret
,
three
of
them
upon
a
bed
of
sickness
,
and
the
inhuman
landlord
,
for
the
sake
of
a
few
shillings
about
to
turn
them
this
bitter
night
into
the
flinty
streets
.
Christian
friends
,
may
you
never
know
what
it
is
to
be
famished
as
I
and
my
seven
darlings
are
this
very
night
,
in
the
midst
of
plenty
.
From
Plymouth
in
Devonshire
,
I
walked
two
hundred
and
fifty
miles
afoot
all
the
way
to
join
my
beloved
husband
in
London
.
When
I
came
to
this
Christian
city
—
Georgiana
,
pick
up
that
halfpenny
—
he
had
been
ordered
off
in
the
transport
ship
Hippopotamus
,
to
shed
his
blood
for
his
Queen
and
country
;
and
I
who
have
known
the
smiles
of
plenty
in
my
happy
rustic
home
,
I
am
compelled
for
the
sake
of
my
children
to
the
degradation
of
publicly
soliciting
alms
.
The
smallest
trifle
,
even
an
old
pair
of
shoes
or
a
left
off
garment
will
be
received
with
the
heartfelt
gratitude
of
the
widow
and
orphan
.
My
eldest
child
,
ma'am
,
the
oldest
of
seven
,
bad
in
the
whooping
cough
.
Georgiana
,
curtsey
to
the
pretty
lady
,
and
show
her
your
broken
chilblains
.
"
"
No
thank
you
,
"
I
said
:
I
could
just
see
her
through
the
fog
.
She
looked
like
one
who
had
seen
better
days
,
and
the
thought
of
my
own
vicissitudes
opened
my
heart
towards
her
.
How
could
I
show
my
gratitude
better
for
the
money
I
had
just
earned
,
than
by
bestowing
a
share
in
charity
upon
worthy
objects
?
So
I
took
out
my
purse
,
an
elegant
little
French
one
given
me
by
dear
mother
,
and
placed
my
three
new
shillings
in
the
poor
creature
's
hand
,
as
she
stood
in
the
gutter
.
She
was
overpowered
with
gratitude
,
and
could
not
speak
for
a
moment
.
Then
she
came
nearer
,
to
bless
me
.
"
Sweet
lady
,
in
the
name
of
seven
famishing
innocents
,
whom
you
have
saved
from
death
this
night
,
may
He
who
guards
the
fatherless
and
the
widow
from
His
mercy-seat
above
,
may
He
shower
his
richest
blessings
—
"
Snap
—
she
had
got
my
purse
and
was
out
of
sight
in
the
fog
.
Georgiana
's
red
heels
were
the
last
thing
I
saw
.
For
an
instant
I
could
not
believe
it
;
but
thought
that
the
fog
had
affected
my
sight
.
Then
I
darted
across
the
road
,
almost
under
the
feet
of
a
horse
,
and
down
a
place
called
"
Pratt
Street
.
"
It
was
hopeless
,
utterly
hopeless
;
and
not
only
my
three
pounds
were
gone
,
but
half
besides
of
all
I
had
in
the
world
.
I
had
taken
that
money
with
me
,
because
I
meant
,
if
fortunate
with
my
landscape
,
to
buy
a
large
box
of
colours
in
Rathbone-place
;
but
the
fog
had
deterred
me
.
She
had
snatched
my
purse
while
I
tried
to
clasp
it
,
for
my
glove
had
first
got
in
the
way
.
All
was
gone
,
dear
mother
's
gift
,
my
first
earnings
,
and
all
.
More
than
all
I
felt
sore
at
heart
from
the
baseness
of
the
robbery
.
Nothing
is
so
bitterly
grievous
to
youth
as
a
blow
to
faith
in
one
's
species
.
I
am
not
ashamed
to
confess
that
feeling
all
alone
in
the
fog
,
I
leaned
against
some
iron
railings
and
cried
away
like
a
child
.
Child
I
was
still
at
heart
,
despite
all
my
trials
and
spirit
;
and
more
so
perhaps
than
girls
who
have
played
out
their
childhood
.
In
the
full
flow
of
my
passion
,
for
I
was
actually
sobbing
aloud
,
ashamed
of
myself
all
the
while
,
I
felt
an
arm
steal
round
my
waist
,
and
starting
in
fear
of
another
thief
,
confronted
the
loveliest
face
that
human
eyes
ever
looked
on
.
With
soft
caresses
,
and
sweetest
smiles
,
it
drew
close
to
my
own
stormy
and
bitter
countenance
.
"
Are
you
better
now
,
dear
?
Oh
do
n't
cry
so
.
You
'll
break
your
poor
little
heart
.
Do
tell
me
what
it
is
,
that
's
a
dear
.
I
'll
do
anything
to
help
you
.
"
"
You
ca
n't
help
me
:
"
I
exclaimed
through
my
sobs
:
"
Nobody
can
help
me
!
I
was
born
to
ill
luck
,
and
shall
have
nothing
else
till
I
die
.
"
"
Do
n't
say
so
dear
.
You
must
n't
think
of
it
.
My
father
,
who
never
is
wrong
,
says
there
's
no
such
thing
as
luck
.
"
"
I
know
that
well
enough
.
People
always
say
that
who
have
it
on
their
side
.
"
"
Ah
,
I
never
thought
of
that
.
But
I
hope
you
are
wrong
.
But
tell
me
,
dear
,
what
is
the
matter
with
you
.
I
'm
sure
you
have
done
no
harm
,
and
dear
papa
says
no
one
can
be
unhappy
who
has
not
injured
any
one
.
"
"
Ca
n't
they
though
?
Your
papa
is
a
moralist
.
Now
I
'll
just
tell
you
facts
.
"
And
to
prove
my
point
,
I
told
her
of
this
new
trouble
,
hinted
at
previous
ones
and
my
many
great
losses
,
of
which
money
was
the
least
.
Even
without
the
controversial
spirit
,
I
must
have
told
her
all
.
