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Francesca opened one eye “I am happy with the wardrobe I have”

“Oh Francesca, I do hope you will indulgewhen Mr Thorne sat doith us to dinner…I hardly knehere to look It was one of your charity dresses, wasn’t it?”

Francesca sighed and gave up on calhts “Mrs Hall has four children and an invalid husband, Ma quite adequate to my needs”

“You only say that to uilty,” A for the servants, or darning the household linen But please, never ask her to make you another dress!” Their vehicle rattled around a corner, veering to make way for a trolley bus “I wonder if ill ever see Mr Thorne again?” she added idly

“Who?” Francesca exclaiotten

Aentleentleman Mr Jardine seemed to think he was not a man whose acquaintance we should pursue, and I aht He usually is”

“Whatever he was, Maain”

Aue that since they were in London and Mr Thorne lived in London, ht they not run into each other accidentally…? Francesca, who had several replies ready, to show just how indifferent she was, felt her spirits sink Her life, she ader part of it He had arrived so suddenly, stayed so briefly, she couldn’t believe she could miss hier he had brought with his and ht hastily, stealing a glance at her companions

They were deep in their own thoughts

That was just as well, because the guilty pleasure was probably there on her face for the whole world to see Scandal, ruination, disgrace—take your pick She could become the center of any one of them

“Good heavens, what is that smell?” Amy pressed her handkerchief fir

Lil’s nose gave a brief twitch “Tannery across the river in Bereably “And the soap factory in Southwark”

“Oh,” Aotten how Londoners live Factories, rookeries, mansions, all within a short stroll of each other Rather dreadful, really”

“Perhaps we should forget all about Uncle Williao home?” Francesca said hopefully

Amy met her eyes, and with an air of determination, set aside her handkerchief “Certainly not We are here now I’et used to the—the miasma”