respectable-looking shops, an estate-agent's office, a church and some
superior lodging-houses. These, like the church, were all painted
white, and, indeed, some of them were at present receiving their fresh
spring coats.

The door of Number 5 was opened by a middle-aged man, Mr. Miller, the
proprietor of the house, and indistinguishable in appearance from an
ordinary butler.

"Miss Rosser?" said Carrissima, and, taking her up-stairs, he stopped
to ask her name on the first landing.

"Miss Faversham," he announced, as she walked into the drawing-room, a
large, lofty room with three windows, rather ornately furnished, and
reminding Carrissima of various scenes on the stage. Before the
fireplace stood a sofa covered with cretonne of a florid pattern, and
from the middle of this Bridget rose.

She was obviously formed to play havoc with the hearts of men, and
although she could scarcely be described as beautiful, she was no doubt
marvellously seductive. If her features were not regular, the ensemble
was delightful, even in the estimation of one who felt disposed to
criticize. Her face would have run to a point at the chin if this had
not been blunted by an entrancing dimple. Bridget's vivid
chestnut-coloured hair grew low over a somewhat wide forehead, while
her eyes were dark and curiously expressive.

Without being conspicuously tall, she had the advantage of her guest by
several inches, although her figure might be less developed, or perhaps
it looked smaller because of her additional inches. She obviously