"Thank you. Do you think nine-and-fourpence-halfpenny will take me to Bath?"
"To Bath, Miss? It might, if you condescended to third class."
"Third class will do very well. Did you ever hear Polly Maybright speak of an aunt of hers, a Mrs. Cameron?"
Mrs. Ricketts, whose back was half turned to Flower while she shut and locked the box out of which she had taken the precious nine-and-fourpence-halfpenny, now sprang to her feet, and began to speak in a tone of great excitement.
"Did I hear of her?" she exclaimed. "Did I hear of the woman--for lady she ain't--what turned my Maggie out of her good place, and near broke Miss Polly's heart? Don't mention Mrs. Cameron, please, Miss Flower, for talk of her I won't; set eyes on her I wouldn't, no, not if I was to receive a pound for it!"
"You needn't get so excited," said Flower; "you have not got to see Polly's aunt; only I thought perhaps you could give me her address, for I am going to her to-morrow."
"Yes, you would if you were me. What is Mrs. Cameron's address?"
"I don't know as I can rightly tell you, Miss."
"Yes, you must. I see you know it quite well."
"Well then, well then--you won't like her a bit, Miss Flower."
"Jasper Street; I think it's Jasper Street."
"And the number? She doesn't live in the whole of Jasper Street."
"Now, was it a one and a six or a one and a seven?" queried Mrs. Ricketts. "Oh, Miss! if I was you, I wouldn't go near her; but I think her number is a one and a seven."
"Yes, that's it; I was never great at counting."
Mrs. Cameron's house in Bath was decidedly old-fashioned. It was a large, solemn, handsome mansion; its windows shone from constant cleaning; its paint was always fresh, its Venetian blinds in perfect order.
When a certain wild, untidy, almost disreputable-looking girl ran up its snow-white steps, and rang its highly polished brass bell, the neat parlor maid who answered her summons stared at her, and doubted a good deal if Mrs. Cameron could see her.
"You had better step into the hall for a moment," said the maidservant, "and I'll inquire if my missis is at leisure; but if it's the new housemaid's place you've come after----"
Flower gasped; she drew herself up, raised her hand, and took off her small black velvet cap.