It was the ineffaceable token of that long, long struggle between affection and conscience, pity and scarcely repressible contempt, which, for more than one generation, had been the appointed burden of this family--at least the women of it--till sometimes it seemed to hang over them almost like a fate.
About noon Miss Leaf proposed calling for the hotel bill.

Its length so alarmed the country ladies that Hilary suggested not staying to dine, but going immediately in search of lodgings.
"What, without a gentleman! Impossible! I always understood ladies could go nowhere in London without a gentleman!" "We shall come very ill off then, Selina.

But any how I mean to try.
You know the region where, we have heard, lodgings are cheapest and best--that is, best for us.

It can not be far from here.

Suppose I start at once ?" "What, alone ?" cried Johanna, anxiously.
"No, dear, I'll take the map with me, and Elizabeth.