The appearance of the street improved as they went on; and the house they stopped at, though the windows were dingy and the paint old, was better than Marian had hoped for a minute before. She remained in the carriage whilst her companion conferred with the landlady within. Twenty minutes passed before Mrs. Crawford reappeared, looking much perplexed. “Mrs. Myers has a couple of rooms that would do you very well; only you would be on the same floor with a woman who is always drunk. She has pawned a heap of clothes, and promises to leave every day; but Mrs. Myers hasnt got rid of her yet. It’s very provoking. She’s quiet, and doesnt trouble any one; but still, of course——” “She cannot interfere with me,” said Marian. “If that is the only objection, let it pass. I need have nothing to say to her. If she is not violent nor noisy, her habits are her own affair.” “Oh, she wont trouble you. You can keep to yourself, English fashion.” “Then let us agree at once. I cannot face any more searching and bargaining.” “Youre looking pale. Are you sure you are not ill?” “No. It is nothing. I am rather tired.” They went in together; and Marian was introduced to Mrs. Myers, a nervous widow of fifty. The rooms were small, and the furniture and carpets old and worn; but all was clean; and there was an open fireplace in the sitting-room. “They will do very nicely, thank you,” said Marian. “I will send for my luggage; and I think I will just telegraph my new address and a few words to a friend in London.” “If you feel played out, I can see after your luggage,” said Mrs. Crawford. “But I advise you to come back with me; have a good lunch at Delmonico’s; and send your cablegram yourself.” Marian roused herself from a lassitude which was coming upon her, and took Mrs. Crawford’s advice. When they returned to the richer quarter of the town, and especially after luncheon, her spirits revived. At the hotel she observed that the clerk was surprised when, arranging for the removal of her luggage and the forwarding of her letters, she mentioned her new address. Douglas, she found, had paid all expenses before leaving. She did not linger in the building; for the hotel staff stared at her curiously. She finished her business by telegraphing to Elinor: “_Separated. Write to new address. Have I forfeited my money?_” This cost her nearly five dollars. “Only that you must find out about your money, I wouldnt have let you spend all that,” said Mrs. Crawford. “I did not think it would have cost so much,” said Marian. “I was horrified when he named the price. However, it cannot be helped.” “We may as well be getting back to Mrs. Myers’s now. It’s late.” “Yes, I suppose so,” said Marian, sighing. “I am sorry I did not ask Nelly to telegraph me. I am afraid my funds will not last so long as I thought.”