But one's outward appearance is not always a faithful index to the condition of one's pocketbook, and Shirley was rapidly acquiring the art of economy.
It was not without a certain trepidation that she began this journey.

So far, all her plans had been based largely on theory, but now that she was actually on her way to Mr.Ryder all sorts of misgivings beset her.

Suppose he knew her by sight and roughly accused her of obtaining access to his house under false pretences and then had her ejected by the servants?
How terrible and humiliating that would be! And even if he did not how could she possibly find those letters with him watching her, and all in the brief time of a conventional afternoon call?
It had been an absurd idea from the first.

Stott was right; she saw that now.

But she had entered upon it and she was not going to confess herself beaten until she had tried.