with Felix at the Music Hall, though it were three
days distant from her, would so occupy her mind that
she could wash and dress all the children without
complaint. Mrs Pipkin was forced to own to herself
that Ruby did earn her bread. But when she had
parted with her lover almost on an understanding that
they were never to meet again, things were very different
with her. And perhaps she had been wrong.
A gentleman like Sir Felix did not of course like to
be told about marriage. If she gave him another
chance, perhaps he would speak. At any rate she
could not live without another dance. And so
she wrote him a letter.
Ruby was glib enough with her pen, though what she wrote will hardly bear repeating. She underscored all her loves to him. ...