small, new-looking house, somewhere near the Archway. I daresay Jane saw me from the window, for I had scarcely run up the little p

omehow that you would cal

n the mantelpiece, on the little side-table. There were Berlin wool antimacassars and a Berlin wool screen, in which impossible birds disported themselves over impossible water, and there was a large waxwork arrangement of fruit and flowers in the centre of the mantelpiec

oned me to one of

" she said, "it is being mended, but I dare say being y

y not," I

"but I myself hate easy chairs, and as this is my own house I do not ha

om of its kind,"

hat you are thinking about," said Jane Mullins;

u sit dow

nly sit when I have a good deal on my

re with her red face and her twinkling eyes, and her broad, good-humoured mouth, the very

colouring, "I have been think

, go

aid then. "Would you really like to join t

ignorant, my dear, not a bit, only your knowledge and my knowledge are wide apart. My dear Miss Wickham, knowledge is power, and wh

alk it ou

your mother-your aristocratic mother-are serious

ards the idea," I said; "and I think I ought to apologise, both for my

cheme and allow it to simmer in your minds. Of course, at first, you were not likely to be taken with it, but yo

see that you are a very wise

Your station and mine are far apart, but having got capital and a certain amount of se

ing," I sa

dear, than you were yesterday. You must do things properly. Here are different refe

Mullins, have been dealing with them for the things that I require for the last seven years-a seven years' reference is long enough, is it not? But if it is not quite long enough,

with capital; not helping you, Miss Wickham, mind-not you nor Mrs. Wickham-but me myself, with capital to the tune of seven thousand pounds. I could not do it but for that,

You ought to tell us your friend's name and all about i

ve wanted to start a boarding-house, but the friend always thought there were difficulties in the way. I was too homely, and people are grand in these days, and wan

ilent, thinki

oms; just the very rooms to entertain people in in the evening. Now if we put all our fortunes into one bag, you, my dear Miss Wickham, shall have the social part of the establishment under your wing. I will arrange all about the servant

hall make any money wi

ndeed I am almost sure of it, but th

re, Miss Mullins?" I asked, and now I looked a

egent Street, without shuddering. Their greens and their greys and their pinks are not my taste, love-no, and never will be; but I shall leave the fu

tainly do,

ly clean, free from dust, tidily arranged, and not too much furniture in it. For the rest-well, I never notice pretty things when they are about, so you need not bother about that as far as I am concerned. The house is a very large one, and although you have some furniture to

the subject I could neither gainsa

urs," she said, and a twinkle came into her ey

How delightful y

ou and I-sign the lease, and we three are responsible. I take o

t fair, for you are pu

ence, do the housekeeping. Having experience, I order the servants. You arrange the decorations for the table, you have the charge of the flowers and the drawing-room in the evenings. As funds permit

very little for mother

s, remember no one else can do, she gives the tone. It's a fact, Miss Wickham, that you may try all your life, but unless Providence has bestowed tone upon you, you cannot a

ership," I said. "I like you very much, and I am sure you are honest and true. I

ar," said the little woman, and then s