she is in black! Brides don't wear black."

"They are obliged to wear it sometimes, dear. You can't lay down a rule
about such things."

"She looks too young to be married. She ought to play about with me for
a year or two first. I hate that man for taking her from me! That's
the girl I should marry myself if I had a chance. Do find out what her
name is, Whitey. Mary is sure to know, for she gossips with the other
servants while she is cleaning the steps. Yes, I'll go back to bed now.
I'm tired, and I don't care to see anyone else. I'll go to sleep and
dream about that smile!"

CHAPTER TWO.

AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.

"Aunt Margaret, can you tell me anything about the people who have come
to Number Three? I saw the lady coming in just now while I was sitting
up, and I do so want to know her. Have you been to call while I was
ill?"

Miss Munns crossed her hands on her lap, and looked the image of
dignified reproach.

"My dear, do you suppose I have had leisure for social engagements? I
know nothing about the people, except that their blinds are invariably
crooked, and every one drawn up to a different length. Most untidy the
house looks! A dear friend of mine used to say--Mary Appleford, whose
father was the clergyman in my old home in Leicestershire--charming old
man who married Lady Evelyn Bruce--most aristocratic family!--Mary
always declared that she could judge a woman's character by the
appearance of her windows. Judged from that standpoint, I should not
feel disposed to call on the mistress of Number Three."

"But you haven't seen her, aunt; if you did, you could not help loving
her. She looked so delighted to see me sitting up, and gave me such a
delicious smile!"

"Smiled at you, do you say? A most unladylike thing to do! The first
advances should come from our side, as she would know if she had any
experience of society. I hope, my dear, that you were not so foolish as
to respond. One cannot be too careful about strangers in this big
wicked city. I shall never forget my poor dear cousin telling me how
she called on a most superior-looking lady who came to live in the same
terrace, and two months later the police raided the house, and it turned
out that the husband made false coins in the back kitchen, and the wife
circulated them among the tradesfolk. So awkward for Maria!"

Sylvia brought her eyebrows together in a frown, and tossed about on her
pillow. She felt irritated