train to Great Portland Street, and thence by cab, with her
two boxes, to Rutland Street, Hampstead Road--an uphill little street
of small houses. When the cab stopped, the door of the house she sought
at once opened, and on the threshold appeared a short, prim,
plain-featured girl, who smiled a welcome.

'You are Miss Vesper?' Monica said, approaching her.

'Yes--very pleased to see you, Miss Madden. As London cabmen have a
narrow view of their duties, I'll help you to get the boxes in.'

Monica liked the girl at once. Jehu condescending to hand down the
luggage, they transferred it to the foot of the staircase, then, the
fare having been paid, went up to the second floor, which was the top
of the house. Miss Vesper's two rooms were very humble, but homely. She
looked at Monica to remark the impression produced by them.

'Will it do?'

'Oh, very nicely indeed. After my quarters in Walworth Road! But I feel
ashamed to intrude upon you.'

'I have been trying to find someone to share my rent,' said the other,
with a simple frankness that was very agreeable. 'Miss Barfoot was full
of your praises--and indeed I think we may suit each other.'

'I shall try to be as little disturbance to you as possible.'

'And I to you. The street is a very quiet one. Up above here is
Cumberland Market; a hay and straw market. Quite pleasant
odours--country odours--reach us on market day. I am country-bred;
that's why I speak of such a trifle.'

'So am I,' said Monica. 'I come from Somerset.'

'And I from Hampshire. Do you know, I have a strong suspicion that all
the really nice girls in London _are_ country girls.'

Monica had to look at the speaker to be sure that this was said in
pleasantry. Miss Vesper was fond of making dry little jokes in the
gravest tone; only a twinkle of her eyes and a movement of her tight
little lips betrayed her.

'Shall I ask the landlady to help me up with the luggage?'

'You are rather pale, Miss Madden. Better let me see to that. I have to
go down to remind Mrs. Hocking to put salt into the saucepan with the
potatoes. She cooks for me only on Sunday, and if I didn't remind her
every week she would boil the potatoes without salt. Such a state of
mind is curious, but one ends by accepting it as a fact in nature.'

They joined in merry laughter. When Miss Vesper gave way to open mirth,
she enjoyed it so thoroughly that it was a delight to look at her.

By the time dinner was over they were on e