So the more faith a policy buyer had in his "row," the larger the venture he would feel inclined to make.
Usually it went all one way with the infatuated lady.

Day after day she ventured, and day after day she lost, until from hundreds the sums she was spending had aggregated themselves into thousands.

She changed from one policy-shop to another, hoping for better luck.

It was her business to find them out, and this she was able to do by questioning some of those whom she met at the shops.

One of these was in a building on a principal street, the second story of which was occupied by a milliner.
It was visited mostly by ladies, who could pass in from the street, no one suspecting their errand.