Belgravia (Volume 23)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1874 edition. Excerpt: ...a coffee-house which was just closing for the night--a house that sold no spirituous liquors--dealt only in such mild beverages as tea, coffee, and cocoa, and might therefore be trusted. Here she was told she could have a bedroom; and emboldened by the landlady's face, which was honest and friendly, Loo showed her the banknote as a voucher for her respectability. 'It's all the money I have about me, ' she said, 'and I should like to get it changed if you could tell me where to find any one who would change it.' ' If it's a good one I can get it changed fast enough, ' said the landlady. ' You needn't be afraid to trust me with it. I've kept this house fifteen years, and my father before me. But how does a young woman like you come by a twenty-pound note, wandering about all alone at this time of night with that bundle?' 'I am going to emigrate, ' answered Loo. 'I've saved the money to pay my passage. I'm going to Queensland to service.' ' Ah, and to get a husband, I suppose. That's what all the young women emigrants are after.' 'No, ' returned Loo with a sigh. ' There's no one in Queensland that would tempt me to marry.' She intrusted her note to the woman, not without a fear that she might be made the victim of some London sharper. But the landlady's face was honest, and the place had a substantial air. A servant-maid brought her some supper--a slice of pale ham, a roll and pat of butter, and a large cup of steaming coffee. Best and food were alike welcome. She had eaten nothing since one o'clock, and she had walked till she was dead-beaten. It was positive luxury to sit in the gas-lighted parlour, where the landlady's work-basket adorned the table, and the landlady's big tabby cat was purring its contentment on the hearthrug. Loo ate her supper with...