Celia is a prisoner in Brown's Buildings, a prisoner on a pound a week, a prisoner who had once known the sweets of ample life in the country. Then there is a struggling young author and a crime, and at the back of all a peerage just like the things on the cards in fortune-telling plus the really inimitable verve and nimbleness of Mr. Garvice's most popular manner.
are lucky; for you have youth, beauty--I beg your pardon," he apologized with a little bow and a gesture which were strangely courtly. "And best of all, you have hope; without that, one is indeed unfortunate."
He rose, and Celia accompanied him to the door; it was only a few steps distant; but the old man moved towards it as if he had been accustomed to traversing apartments of a larger size. As Celia opened the door, the one opposite hers opened at the same moment, and a lady came out. Judging by her figure, for her face was thickly veiled, she was young; she was plainly but richly dressed, and wore a coat and muff of sable. Her appearance was so strangely different from that of the residents and visitors of the Buildings that Celia could not help staring at her with surprise. As if she were conscious of, and resented, Celia's intent regard, the lady turned her head away, and, keeping as near the wall as possible, descended the stairs quickly.
Celia and Mr. Clendon neither exchanged glances no
