He could never get over his antipathy to Irish beggars, and all his mistress's influence was necessary to prevent the growl becoming a bark.

She put her ear to the door and listened, but no sound disturbed the stillness within.

She knocked gently, but there was no answer.

At last she thought she heard a feeble voice say something which she interpreted into 'Come in,' and she turned the key in the lock of the door and opened the top half of it.

She looked in, and saw all her mendicant guests in profound repose, excepting the girl Gladys, who endeavoured to rise as she perceived the kindly face, but fell back again immediately.