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 know better than come bothering here." He was deaf to her appeals to see Augusta. "It can't be done," he said. "You should come on Thursday between three and six. It's no use your making a disturbance." As she still persisted, he lost his temper, and told her she had better go, or he would have her turned out.

The frightened Prudence hurried back to her cab, and, sobbing miserably, directed the driver to South Kensington. Worn out by the fatigues and excitements of the day, she arrived at 37, Beaconsfield Gardens, in time for dinner.

She would have given anything not to be obliged to put in an appearance at that meal, but she did not dare to remain in her room. Her fear of attracting notice was morbid.

The boarders, for a wonder, were discussing Dickens as Prudence took her place at table.

"Dickens is an author I have never read," Mrs. Dumaresq was saying.

"Really!" responded Major Jones. "Why not?"

"My dear mother did not approve of his works when I was a girl," said Mrs.