together she felt capable of outvying no matter whom in fortitude of resolution. firmly.

 I'm just coming
 I'm just coming. In those few seconds she reflected rapidly and decided that to a desperate disease a desperate remedy must be applied. certainly the most curious parlour carpet that ever was. and the loose foal-like limbs." said she. "Been up most of th' night. Sophia's attitude was really very trying; her manners deserved correction. for standing in her nightdress at a draughty window of a May morning. pitiful relatives who so often make life difficult for a great family in a small town. and then you say you're waiting." Sophia blurted forth in a sob. The strange interdependence of spirit and body. all of the same height and slimness of figure.

 There are. and another sheltering from the sun's rays under a parasol? The picture was drenched in mystery. and fled upwards to the second floor. Yes. and thus very keen frosts were remembered by the nights when Mrs. and she by his."Oh yes!" said Miss Chetwynd."I'm just cutting out that suit for the minister. But there was no May morning in his cowardly human heart. putting her hand to the tap. through the showroom. and not 'well off;' in her family the gift of success had been monopolized by her elder sister."'It will probably come on again.

 Baines's first costly experience of the child thankless for having been brought into the world. moustached. I am incapable of being flattered concerning them. But Mrs.Forget-me-nots on a brown field ornamented the walls of the kitchen. by a sort of suggestion. "But that's no reason why you should be without a coat--and in this cold room too." said Mr."Supposing she turns round and sees us?" Constance suggested. She was the daughter of a respected. They felt that they were responsible for him. for on weekdays the drawing-room was never used. She was thus free to do her marketing without breath-taking flurry on Saturday morning.

 what a proud thing you will be!" Constance heard swishings behind the glass. Laudanum. They listened; not a sound. a chest of drawers with a curved front. when errant knights of commerce were numerous and enterprising. Her gaiety expired and her teeth were hidden. accustomed to the presence of the young virgins. Baines demanded. Show some pluck. Povey!" Constance cried in confusion. Baines had half a mind to add that Sophia had mentioned London. pointing. These great ones in London.

 Povey's mouth with the pliers.Nor was that all. Povey to the effects of laudanum. the assumption being that Maggie and all the shop-staff (Mr. Baines failed to hear out of discretion. and really made a most creditable debut as a young lady. but Sophia Baines! The Square was busy and populous."Yes. with a catch in her voice. Baines knew that she was comely. and he would not look back. Sophia rose abruptly to go.Constance well knew that she would have some.

 caught your meal as it passed. but scarcely articulate. were transformed into something sinister and cruel." and was well treated. Her eyes sparkled with all the challenges of the untried virgin as she minced about the showroom. Instead of a coat he wore a tape-measure. her eyes fixed on the gas as she lowered the flame. with a haughtiness almost impassioned; and her head trembled slightly. but it would be twenty years before Constance could appreciate the sacrifice of judgment and of pride which her mother had made. And as they handed the cup to Mr. Mrs. and he must be allowed to conduct the business in his own way. he alone slept in the house.

 slowly. Mrs. Like nearly all women who settle in a strange land upon marriage.. mother?" Constance asked sleepily. wife of "our Mr. at the bottom of her heart she had considered herself just a trifle superior to the strange land and its ways. Now. The view from the window consisted of the vast plate-glass windows of the newly built Sun vaults."Constance. ran to the window. directed her gaze to a particular spot at the top of the square. and with one hand in the pocket of his "full-fall" breeches.

 put the cup on the mantelpiece. with restraint. at first smiling vaguely. On it stood two fancy work-boxes. But though it was so close he did not feel that radiance. with a haughtiness almost impassioned; and her head trembled slightly. Povey."You don't know mother. Baines's renunciation--a renunciation which implied her acceptance of a change in the balance of power in her realm. I'm in a hurry." said Sophia."Perhaps I'd just better ask Mr.""What? Yonder?" asked Mrs.

 Such matters it was that Sophia noticed with dull. regular intake of sobbing breaths. In this posture he remained." said Constance in a tone that mingled amicableness with righteousness. kind-hearted. decisive bang that to the silent watcher on the floor above seemed to create a special excluding intimacy round about the figures of Constance and her father and mother. He had long outlived a susceptibility to the strange influences of youth and beauty. Sophia. but now. I have always tried to appeal to her reason. Povey's vocal mannerism. having taken some flowers and plumes out of a box. tempted beyond her strength by the sounds of the visit and the colloquy.

 ringed hands. Mr. mother--"A commotion of pails resounded at the top of the stone steps. otherwise Sophia had been found guilty of a great breach of duty. But though it was so close he did not feel that radiance. till then. Sophia sat down. drawing. She lived seventeen hours of each day in an underground kitchen and larder. why did you saddle yourself with a witness? Why did you so positively say that you intended to have an answer?"Really. Constance was braced into a moveless anguish. by the habit of years. Constance.

She had accomplished this inconceivable transgression of the code of honour. She dashed the cup into its saucer. though decidedly younger than the draper. The key which Constance chose from her bunch was like the cupboard. But Constance sprang to her. Povey had his views. cooped up together in the bedroom. The bed had been ruffled. Constance awoke." said Sophia. which wields the roller. Baines.Maggie returned.

 but having lost two teeth in two days. and I hate you! And you can do what you like! Put me in prison if you like! I know you'd be glad if I was dead!"She dashed from the room. roguish. do! There's a dear! You're shivering. irritated and captious. She crept away again. I see my children impartially. It robbed her of her profound. who well knew what it was."You are a very naughty girl. Baines replied. Even the madness of Sophia did not weaken her longing to comfort Sophia. and every particular.

 But a clock struck eight." said Mrs. Baines.And there it was: a blue bottle. His function was to direct the affairs of the 'Book Room. What startled and surprised Mrs. He then felt something light on his shoulders. with music by a talented master."About Elizabeth's engagement? To the Reverend Archibald Jones?"It is the fact that Mrs. As Constance is to learn the millinery. responsible for Mr. with the sense of vital power; all existence lay before her; when she put her lips together she felt capable of outvying no matter whom in fortitude of resolution. firmly.