All the time she
listened for any footfall on the stone steps without. Next she went
to the chest of drawers, and was pleased to find that they were
unlocked. In the first she drew out there were some books and
papers. These she rummaged through very quickly, and at length,
underneath them, came upon a little bundle of pawn-tickets. On
finding these, she laughed to herself, and carefully inspected every
one of them. "Gold chain," she muttered; "bracelet; seal-skin;--
what was she doing with all those things, I wonder? Ho, ho, Miss
Starr?"
She started; there was a step on the stairs. In a second everything
was replaced, and she was back in the sitting-room, stooping over
Grim, who took her endearments with passive indignation.
"Have I been long?" panted Ida, as she came in. "The kettle won't be
a minute. You'll take your things off?"
Harriet removed her hat only. As Ida went about, preparing the tea,
Harriet watched her with eyes in which there was a new light. She
spoke, too, in almost a cheerful way, and even showed a better
appetite than usual when they sat down together.
"You are better to-day?" Ida said to her.
"Perhaps so; but it doesn't last long."
"Oh, you must be more hopeful.
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