IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.

Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.

The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.

It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.

And her folly in permitting the fancy to rove towards Archibald Dorrimore, for whose foppishness she had a contempt, simply because he was rich! The recollection of this caused her the bitterest pang of all.
How could she justify her conduct to Mr.Gay! Would he not look upon her as a light o' love ready to bestow smiles upon any man who flattered her?
Well, she wouldn't attempt to justify herself.