"I don't see why you shouldn't be some day. Mr Poulter might reward
you that way for your years of faithful service."

As Mavis walked back to Kiva Street, she asked herself the question
that Miss Nippett had asked her, "Was she ambitious?"

Now, her chief concern was to earn her daily bread. It was not so
very long ago that her ambition was in some way bound up with the
romantic fancies which she was then so fond of weaving. Now, the
prospect of again having to fight for the privilege of bread-winning
drove all thought from her mind beyond this one desire--to keep
afloat without exhibiting signals of distress to the Devitts.

Three days before Mavis left "Poulter's," she assisted at a Third
Saturday Night which was held, as usual, on that Saturday of the
month at the Athenaeum, Shepherd's Bush.

Mavis, dressed in her one evening frock and wearing her few
trinkets, went to the Athenaeum an hour before the public was
expected, in order to rehearse with the "Godolphin Band," which was
always engaged for these occasions. She was in some trepidation at
having to accompany professional musicians on the piano; she hoped
that they would not find fault with her playing. When she got to the
hall, she found Mr Poulter already there in evening dress, vainly
striving to conceal his excitement.

"Aren't you nervous?" he asked.

"I am rather," she replied, as she took off her coat.