and flowered balconies, giving glory to human pride. The
carriage, merged in a phalanx of carriages, rolled past innumerable
splendid houses, and every house without exception was a hostel and an
invitation. Some were higher than any she had ever seen; and one
terrific building, in course of construction, had already far overtopped
the highest of its neighbours. She glanced at George Cannon, who, by a
carefully casual demeanour, was trying not to take the credit of the
entire spectacle; and she admitted that he was indeed wonderful.

"Of course, Sarah," he said, as the carriage shortly afterwards turned
up Preston Street, where the dying wind roughly caught them, "we aren't
beginning with anything as big as all that, so you needn't shiver in
your shoes. You know what my notion is"--he included Hilda in his
address--"my notion is to get some experience first in a smaller house.
We must pay for our experience, and my notion is to pay as little as
possible. I can tell you there's quite a lot of things that have to be
picked up before you've got the hang of a town like this--quite a lot."

Sarah grimly nodded. She had scarcely spoken.

"We're beginning rather well. I've told you all about the Watchett
sisters, haven't I? They're an income, a positive income! And then
Boutwood and his wife have decided to come--did I tell you?"

"Bou--"

The syllable escaped explosively from Sarah Gailey's mouth, overcoming
her stern guard. Instantly, by a tremendous effort, she checked the
flow. But the violent shock of the news had convulsed her whole being.
The look on her face was changed to desperation. Hilda trembled, and
even the splendid and ever-resurgent George Cannon was discountenanced.
Not till then had Hilda realized with what intense bitterness the
souvenir of the Boutwoods festered in Sarah Gailey's unreasoning heart.

IV

"Here we are!" said George Cannon jauntily, as the carriage stopped in
front of No. 59 Preston Street. But his jauntiness seemed factitious.
The demeanour of all three was diffident and unnatural, for now had
arrived the moment when George Cannon had to submit his going concern to
the ordeal of inspection by the women, and especially by Sarah Gailey.
There the house stood, a physical fact, forcing George to justify it,
and beseeching clemency from the two women. The occasion was critical;
therefore everybody had to pretend that it was a perfectly ordinary
occasion, well knowing the futility of the