orthern and the western side enjoyed their day of
rest, but gave hints of startling attractions for the coming week. Mr.
Trew considered Shakespeare a well-meaning writer, but somewhat old
fashioned in methods, and was surprised to find that Gertie had
thoroughly enjoyed "The Tempest" at His Majesty's.

"Was you alone?"

"No. Mr. Douglass took me."

"That accounts for it," he said knowingly.

Clarence Mills came looking for them with anxiety. The two hurried
forward and met him at the gate; his forehead remained contracted.

"Her husband's yacht," he announced, "has been seized by natives. All
on board put to death." They gazed at each other.

"So that turns her," remarked Trew slowly, "into a widow woman.
There's no family, as I understand; consequently, it makes a bit of
diff'rence to Gertie's young man."

The girl sighed.

"I'm sorry for her," she said. "Very sorry indeed. And it means that
my path won't be none the easier!"

CHAPTER IV.

Madame Hilbert and the forewoman in Great Titchfield Street consulted
each other only when crises occurred; the girls knew that if Madame
came to the doorway, saying, "Miss Rabbit, just half a second, please,"
and the forewoman was absent for half an hour, then some matter of
supreme importance was being discussed. The establishment was in close
touch with the military service at home and abroad, and the best stroke
good fortune could make in favour of Hilbert's was to arrange a stately
ceremonial in India, some alteration in the dress of officers, or
anything that made uniforms necessary. The girls' workroom, even at
ordinary times, presented an aspect of enormous wealth, with everywhere
a display of gold--loose threads of it on the tables, collected threads
being sewn on foundations, epaulettes in course of making, heavy
dependent nuggets hung upon scarves. Gold floated in the air, and when
the sun came through the windows it all looked as though one could play
the conjurer, and perform the enchanting trick of making a dash with
the hand and secure sovereigns. Many of the girls wore glasses because
continued attention to the glistening colours affected the eyes;
sometimes a worker became pale of features, anaemic and depressed, and
had to hurry off to the sea-side, and Miss Rabbit referred to this as
an act of Providence. For the most part, the girls were healthy and
cheerful, and they had the encouragement of good wages. Miss Rabbit,
it was reporte