egan to wish that a
caller would come and ring the bell, so that I could get a peep at
the interior. But no one did, although I noticed that more than one
hurrying passer-by glanced up at it curiously.

The thunder died away, but the rain still came down heavily. If it had
not been for my curious interest in that great ugly building opposite,
I should have risked a wetting, and made my way down to the busy
thoroughfare in the distance. But I was anxious to see some one enter
or leave the place, or for something to happen which would give me
an idea as to its character; so I waited. Half an hour passed, and my
curiosity remained unsatisfied. There was no sign of life about
the place; not even a tradesman had called, nor had that
forbidding-looking portal once been opened. It was still raining fast,
but there were signs of finer weather, and right overhead was a
break in the clouds. I should certainly be able to leave now in a few
minutes; but, strangely enough, all my impatience seemed gone. The
grim-looking building opposite had fascinated me. I had no desire to
leave the place until I had found out all about it.

It was odd, that curiosity of mine; all my days I shall wonder at it.
On the face of it, it seemed so unreasonable, and yet it led to so
much. I have no creed, and I know nothing about philosophies, or
perhaps to-night's adventure might have meant even more to me. But,
indeed, it seems as though some unseen hand led me out and brought me
into that deserted street. From to-night there must be changes in my
life; I cannot escape from them. As yet I am too much in a whirl to
ask myself whether I wish to.

To return to that house. When I saw that the storm was clearing, and
that I should be able to leave in a few minutes, I determined to make
an effort to satisfy my curiosity. I crossed the road, and addressed
the man who was sitting on the handles of his barrow of oranges.

"Do you know what place that is opposite?" I asked, pointing across
the road.

He took out a filthy pipe from his mouth, and spat upon the pavement.
I think that he must have noticed my look of disgust, for he answered
me surlily, "No, I don't!"

I turned to the boy. "Do you?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Not for certain, ma'am. I believe it's some sort
of a Roman Catholic place, though. Them gents in long clothes and
shovel hats is allus going in and hout. 'Ullo, Bill! Here she be
again! She's a-trying it on, ain't she?"

The man