oting and kept it in Mrs Roper's
drawing-room. For though the hundred pounds a year, either paid, or
promised to be paid, was matter with Mrs Roper of vast consideration,
nevertheless the first three months of Mrs Lupex's sojourn in Burton
Crescent was not over before the landlady of that house was most
anxiously desirous of getting herself quit of her married boarders.

I shall perhaps best describe a little incident that had occurred
in Burton Crescent during the absence of our friend Eames, and the
manner in which things were going on in that locality, by giving at
length two letters which Johnny received by post at Guestwick on the
morning after Mrs Dale's party. One was from his friend Cradell, and
the other from the devoted Amelia. In this instance I will give that
from the gentleman first, presuming that I shall best consult my
reader's wishes by keeping the greater delicacy till the last.

INCOME-TAX OFFICE, September 186--.

MY DEAR JOHNNY,--

We have had a terrible affair in the Crescent; and I really
hardly know how to tell you; and yet I must do it, for I
want your advice. You know the sort of standing that I was
on with Mrs Lupex, and perhaps you remember what we were
saying on the platform at the station. I have, no doubt,
been fond of her society, as I might be of that of any
other friend. I knew, of course, that she was a fine woman;
and if her husband chose to be jealous, I couldn't help
that. But I never intended anything wrong; and, if it was
necessary, couldn't I call you as a witness to prove it? I
never spoke a word to her out of Mrs Roper's drawing-room;
and Miss Spruce, or Mrs Roper, or somebody has always been
there. You know he drinks horribly sometimes, but I do not
think he ever gets downright drunk. Well, he came home last
night about nine o'clock after one of these bouts. From
what Jemima says [Jemima was Mrs Roper's parlour-maid] I
believe he had been at it down at the theatre for three
days. We hadn't seen him since Tuesday. He went straight
into the parlour and sent up Jemima to me, to say that he
wanted to see me. Mrs Lupex was in the room and heard the
girl summon me, and, jumping up, she declared that if
there was going to be bloodshed she would leave the house.
There was nobody else in the room but Miss Spruce, and she
didn't say a word, but took her candle and went upstairs.
You must own it loo