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.”

“Well, we shall see.  The General was greatly taken with you for the way you looked after me when I was ill yonder; so you have two friends in Noo York City, at any rate.”

“You have proved that to me to-day.  I am afraid I shall have to trouble you further if I get bad news.  You will have to help me to find some work.”

“Yes.  Never mind that until the bad news comes.  I hope you wont mope at Mrs. Myers’s.  How does the American air agree with you?”

“Pretty well.  I was sick for the first two days of our passage across, and somehow my digestion seems to have got out of order in consequence.  Of late I have been a little unwell in the mornings.”

“Oh!  Thats so, is it?  Humph!  I see I shall have to come and look after you occasionally.”

“Why?”

“Never you mind, my dear.  But dont go moping, nor going without food to save money.  Take care of yourself.”

“It is nothing serious,” said Marian, with a smile.  “Only a passing indisposition.  You need not be uneasy about me.  This is the house, is it not?  I shall lose myself whenever I go out for a walk here.”

“This is it.  Now good-bye.  I’ll see you soon.  Meanwhile, you take care of yourself, as youre told.”

It was dark when Marian entered her new residence.  Mrs. Myers was standing at the open door, remonstrating with a milkman.  Marian hastily assured her that she knew the way, and went upstairs alone.  She was chilled and weary; her spirits had fallen again during her journey from the telegraph office.  As she approached her room, hoping to find a good fire, she heard a flapping noise, which was suddenly interrupted by the rattle of a falling poker, followed by the exclamation, in a woman’s voice, “Och, musha, I wouldnt doubt you.”  Marian, entering, saw a robust young woman kneeling before the grate, trying to improve a dull fire that burnt there.  She had taken up the poker and placed it standing against the bars so that it pointed up the chimney; and she was now using her apron fanwise as a bellows.  The fire glowed in the draught; and Marian, by its light, noted with displeasure that the young woman’s calico dress was soiled, and her hair untidy.