To have no carriage at her command, no maid to wait upon, her--not even a skilful servant to discharge ordinary household duties well and quickly--to live in a little room where she felt as if she could hardly breathe, to hear every sound through the walls, to have the smell of cooking pervade the house--these and numberless similar discomforts made her initiation into her new sphere a series of surprises and disappointments.
But she must bestir herself if even this small amount of comfort and well-being were to be kept up.

Madame's income would not maintain their household even on its present humble footing.

Felicita's first book had done well; it had been fairly reviewed by some papers, and flatteringly reviewed by other critics who had known the late Lord Riversford.

On the whole it had been a good success, and her name was no longer quite unknown.

Her publishers were willing to take another book as soon as it could be ready: they did more, they condescended to ask for it.