“If you have courage to go with me,” replied her sister, “you will find ample employment for the time. If not, we part here, and I advise you to take a country drive to refresh yourself. I am going into the depths of the city to find up a money-lender, who has proved a very convenient help to certain young gentlemen of lord F——’s acquaintance. One may as well try to have two strings to one’s bow, since the worst that can happen is to be laughed at, as women are every day when they propose to meddle with business.” “Is this the worst that can happen?” asked the timid Maria. “Do you understand the law in such matters? I would not have you involved, Letitia, even to save us.” “Trust me for doing nothing that my husband would not have me do,” replied Letitia. “Will you come? Our dress tells nothing, does it? It might belong to anybody, from a milliner to a maid of honour. Will you trust yourself with me?” Maria gave herself up to her sister’s guidance. They quitted the carriage about half a mile from the house they were in search of. “I know the lane,” observed Letitia, “but not the number. We must venture a guess upon the house. I will make no inquiries.” They walked two or three times along the narrow and dark lane, all the dwellings of which appeared to Maria equally desolate and unpromising; but her sister, who had fixed on one from the beginning, was confirmed in her opinion by seeing half a pint of blue milk taken in at the front door, while a fruiterer’s boy, carrying a covered basket, through whose sides might be discerned the richest of grapes, turned into a court which led to the back of the premises. “Blue milk in public for the serving man’s breakfast,” said Letitia, “and purple grapes in private for the master’s luncheon. This suits the man exactly. This must be the place.”