Page:Ethel Churchill 3.pdf/278

276 degrading form; over the door might be written Dante's "Lasciate Speranza!" for, truly, hope never enters there. The various articles exhibited in the windows during the day, had been removed for greater security, and there only remained a blank. But the glass cases on the counter still sent forth a sort of dull glitter; they were filled with various ornaments, some pretty, though mostly tarnished by time, but each telling some little history of a happier hour. Still this was the least oppressive portion of the establishment; ornaments, even though hallowed by affection, are vanities; and, though even vanity be reluctantly parted with, it is but a brief pang. I believe there is not a woman in the world that would hesitate to part with the most costly toy in her possession, to save but an annoyance from the object she loved: but there were, collected together, evidence of far heavier sacrifices. There were cords passed along the ceiling, from whence hung articles of wearing apparel of the most common description, things that spoke of