LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ["'Oh, what a pity,' said Betty from the heart, 'that we aren't introduced now!'"] ["'Ah, don't be cross!' she said."] ["Betty stared at him coldly."] ["Betty looked nervously around—the scene was agitatingly unfamiliar.]" ["Unfinished, but a disquieting likeness."] ["'No, thank you: it's all done now.'"] ["On the further arm of the chair sat, laughing also, a very pretty young woman."] ["The next morning brought him a letter."]

Book 1.—The Girl

CHAPTER I.

THE INEVITABLE.

"No. The chemises aren't cut out. I haven't had time. There are enough shirts to go on with, aren't there, Mrs. James?" said Betty.

"We can make do for this afternoon, Miss, but the men they're getting blowed out with shirts. It's the children's shifts as we can't make shift without much longer." Mrs. James, habitually doleful, punctuated her speech with sniffs.

"That's a joke, Mrs. James," said Betty. "How clever you are!"

"I try to be what's fitting," said Mrs. James, complacently.

"Talk of fitting," said Betty, "If you like I'll fit on that black bodice for you, Mrs. Symes. If the other ladies don't mind waiting for the reading a little bit."