"Let us go home!" And at the word a sob burst out--just one passionate pent up sob. No more. She could not afford to waste strength in crying. "As you say, Elizabeth, I am getting tired, and that will not do. Let me see; something must be decided." And she stood still, passing her hand over her hot brow and eyes. "I will go back and take the lodgings, leave you there to make all comfortable, and then fetch my sisters from the hotel. But stay first, I have forgotten something." She returned to the house in Gower Street, and wrote on one of her cards an address--the only permanent address she could think of--that of the city broker who was in the habit of paying them their yearly income of £50. "If any creditors inquire for Mr. Leaf, give them this. His friends may always hear of him at the London University." "Thank you, ma'am," replied the now civil landlady. "Indeed, I wasn't afraid of the young gentleman giving us the slip. For though he was careless in his bills he was every inch the gentleman. And I wouldn't object to take him in again. Or p'raps you yourself, ma'am, might be a-wanting rooms." "No, I thank you. Good morning." And Hilary hurried away. Not a word did she say to Elizabeth, or Elizabeth to her, till they got into the dull, dingy parlor--henceforth, to be their sole apology for "home:" and then she only talked about domestic arrangements--talked fast and eagerly, and tried to escape the affectionate eyes which she knew were so sharp and keen. Only to escape them--not to blind them; she had long ago found out that Elizabeth was too quick-witted for that, especially in any thing that concerned "the family." She felt convinced the girl had heard every syllable that passed at Ascott's lodgings: that she knew all that was to be known, and guessed what was to be feared as well as Hilary herself. "Elizabeth"--she hesitated long, and doubted whether she should say the thing before she did say it--"remember we are all strangers in London, and family matters are best kept within the family. Do not mention either in writing home, or to any body here, about--about--" She could not name Ascott; she felt so horribly ashamed. CHAPTER X.