All she saw spoke of neglect and vanished prosperity.

Hoarse voices and loud laughter came from an ad joining room, and a smell of cigar smoke accompanied them.

Sitting at the piano, she restlessly turned over some music and now and then played a few bars to divert her troubled thoughts.

Until a few weeks before, she had led a peaceful life in the country, and it had been a painful surprise to her to find her father of such doubtful character and habits.

She was interrupted by the violent opening of the door, and a group of excited men burst into the room.