“For the present, only to get a lodging.  Will you tell me where I should look for one?  I dont know the east from the west end of this town; and I am so inexperienced that I might make a mistake easily as to the character of the places.  Will you direct me to some street or quarter in which I should he likely to find suitable rooms?  I can live very economically.”

“I dont know what to do,” said Mrs. Crawford, perplexedly, turning her rings on her fingers.  “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.  And you so pretty!”

“Perhaps you would rather not assist me.  You may tell me so candidly.  I shall not be offended.”

“You mustnt take me up like that.  I must have a talk with the General about you.  I dont feel like letting you go into some ordinary place by yourself.  But I cant ask you to stay here without consulting——­”

“Oh, no, you must not think of any such thing:  I must begin to face the world alone at once.  I assure you, Mrs. Crawford, I could not come here.  I should only keep your friends away.”

“But nobody knows you.”

“Sooner or later I should meet someone who does.  There are hundreds of people who know me by sight, who travel every year.  Besides, my case is a very public one, unfortunately.  May I take you into my confidence?”

“If you wish, my dear.  I dont ask you for it; but I will take it kindly.”

“I know you will.  You must have heard all about me.  Mr. Forster’s real name is Douglas.”

Mrs. Crawford stifled a whoop of surprise.  “And you!  Are you——?”

“I am.”

“Only think!  And that was Douglas!  Why, I thought he was a straight-haired, sleeky, canting snake of a man.  And you too are not a bit like what I thought.  You are quite a person, Mrs.—­Mrs. Conolly.”

“I have no right to bear that name any longer.  Pray call me by my assumed name still, and keep my secret.  I hope you do not believe all the newspapers said?”

“No, of course not,” said Mrs. Crawford.  “But whose fault was it?”

“Mine.  Altogether mine.  I wish you would tell people that Mr. Conolly is blameless in the matter.”

“He will take care of his own credit, never fear.  I am sure you got some provocation:  I know what men are.  The General is not my first husband.”

“No, I got no provocation.  Mr. Conolly is not like other men.  I got discontented because I had nothing to desire.  And now, about the lodgings, Mrs. Crawford.  Do not think I am changing the subject from reticence.  It is the question of money that makes me anxious.  All my resources would be swallowed up at the hotel in less than a week.”

“Lodgings?  You mean rooms, I guess.  People here mostly go to boarding-houses.  And as to the cheapness, you dont know what cheapness is.  Cant you make some arrangement with your great relations in England?  Have you no property of your own?”

“I cannot tell whether my property remains my own or not.  You must regard me as a poor woman.  I am quite determined to have the lodgings; and I should like to arrange about them at once; for I am rather upset by something that happened this morning.”