"I see that beggars can’t be choosers and that one must give up something in order to earn one’s living. I wish, however, that it was not one’s freedom. May I have the address, if you really think there is the smallest use in my calling?" "I am sure that it is worth your while calling. I have even a sort of odd feeling that Mrs. Chard’s choice might fall on you. You see, you are just a little different from the average run of reduced ladies who come here." "Thank you," said Isla, not knowing whether to take the words as a compliment or the reverse. The agent wrote the name and address on one of the office cards and then noted Isla’s in her book. "And what happens if I am engaged?" she asked with a little humorous smile about her mouth. "Is it like a servants’ registry office? Do I come back and pay a fee, or do I pay it now?" "The fee would be half a sovereign in this case--that is if you are engaged. There is no charge otherwise. I hope you will be successful, Miss Mackinnon." "I don’t know whether I hope so or not," answered Isla. Her ease of manner, so different from the usual bearing of the agent’s clients, made a strong impression on her listener. "I shall be pleased to see you in any case. And perhaps something else may turn up, if you are not successful," she said with a cordiality which surprised even herself. Usually the seekers after employment were merely units of the system to be dismissed as soon as possible. But this applicant had drawn out her interest and her sympathy in a very strong degree, principally because she had not proffered a single plea for special consideration, and because she had been so candid about her capabilities. When Isla got outside she stopped on the stairs and read the name and address on the agent’s card--Mrs. Bodley-Chard, Hans Crescent, S.W. A look of satisfaction crossed her face just for a moment, because this locality was within that part of the area of London with which she was perfectly familiar. As Malcolm might have said, it was on the right side of the Park. But again, that had its disadvantages, one of them being that she might be more easily discovered and recognized. But some instinct made her decide to go, and to go as quickly as possible. She hailed a passing hansom and got in, calculating that she would reach Hans Crescent in time to catch Mrs. Bodley-Chard immediately after luncheon. CHAPTER XXII MR. AND MRS. BODLEY-CHARD Isla was familiar with the outward aspect of the pretty houses in Hans Crescent, and she had on more than one occasion, in the company of her aunt, made acquaintance with the interior of one. The town house of the Murdoch-Graemes of Baltasound was in Hans Crescent, but they, too, were poor and, until their daughter married a rich financier, had not been able to occupy their London house in the season.