resent, and future joys of eating at some one
else's expense, and in this bland and pleasing state of meditation they
were still absorbed. The horses were impatient, and pawed the muddy
ground with many a toss of their long manes and tails, the steam from
their glossy coats mingling with the ever-thickening density of the fog.
On the white stone steps of the residence before which they waited was
an almost invisible bundle, apparently shapeless and immovable. Neither
of the two gorgeous personages in livery observed it; it was too far
back in a dim corner, too unobtrusive, for the casual regard of their
lofty eyes. Suddenly the glass doors before mentioned were thrown apart
with a clattering noise, a warmth and radiance from the entrance-hall
thus displayed streamed into the foggy street, and at the same instant
the footman, still with grave and imperturbable countenance, opened the
brougham. An elderly lady, richly dressed, with diamonds sparkling in
her gray hair, came rustling down the steps, bringing with her faint
odours of patchouly and violet-powder. She was followed by a girl of
doll-like prettiness, with a snub nose and petulant little mouth, who
held up her satin-and-lace skirts with a sort of fastidious disdain, as
though she scorned to set foot on earth that was not carpeted with
the best velvet pile. As they approached their carriage the inert dark
bundle, crouched in the corner, started into life--a woman, with wild
hair and wilder eyes, whose pale lips quivered with suppressed weeping
as her piteous voice broke into sudden clamour:

"Oh, lady!" she cried, "for the love of God, a trifle! Oh, lady, lady!"

But the "lady," with a contemptuous sniff and a shake of her scented
garments, passed her before she could continue her appeal, and she
turned with a sort of faint hope to the softer face of the girl.

"Oh, my dear, do have pity! Just the smallest little thing, and God will
bless you! You are rich and happy--and I am starving! Only a penny! For
the baby--the poor little baby!" And she made as though she would open
her tattered shawl and reveal some treasure hidden therein, but shrunk
back, repelled by the cold, merciless gaze that fell upon her from those
eyes, in which youth dwelt without tenderness.

"You have no business on our door step," said the girl, harshly. "Go
away directly, or I shall tell my servant to call a policeman."

Then, as she entered the brougham after her mother, she addressed the