dream. They ascended a small staircase, softly carpeted, to a
square landing, and here Miss Leigh opened a door.

"This is the sitting-room," she said. "You see, it has a nice bow-
window with a view of the garden. The bedroom is just beyond it--
both lead into one another."

Innocent looked in and could not resist giving a little
exclamation of pleasure. Everything was so clean and dainty and
well kept--it seemed to her a perfect haven of rest and shelter.
She turned to Miss Leigh in eager impulsiveness.

"Oh, please let me stay!" she said. "Now, at once! I have only
just arrived in London and this is the first place I have seen. It
seems so--so fortunate that you should have had a friend named
Armitage! Perhaps--perhaps I may be a friend too!"

A curious tremor seemed to pass over the old lady as though she
shivered in a cold wind. She laid one hand gently on the girl's
arm.

"You may, indeed!" she said. "One never can tell what may happen
in this strange world! But we have to be practical--and I am very
poor and pressed for money. I do not know you--and of course I
should expect references from some respectable person who can tell
me who you are and all about you."

Innocent grew pale. She gave a little expressive gesture of utter
hopelessness.