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A dark； desolate December night； a night that clung to the metropolis
like a wet black shroud； a night in which the heavy； low…hanging
vapours melted every now and then into a slow； reluctant rain； cold as
icicle…drops in a rock cavern。 People passed and repassed in the
streets like ghosts in a bad dream； the twinkling gas…light showed
them at one moment rising out of the fog； and then disappearing from
view as though suddenly engulfed in a vaporous ebon sea。 With muffled；
angry shrieks； the metropolitan trains deposited their shoals of
shivering； coughing travelers at the several stations； where sleepy
officials； rendered vicious by the weather； snatched the tickets from
their hands with offensive haste and roughness。 Omnibus conductors
grew ill…tempered and abusive without any seemingly adequate reason；
shopkeepers became flippant； disobliging； and careless of custom；
cabmen shouted derisive or denunciatory language after their rapidly
retreating fares； in short； everybody was in a discontented； almost
spiteful humour； with the exception of those few aggressively cheerful
persons who are in the habit of always making the best of everything；
even bad weather。 Down the long wide vista of the Cromwell Road；
Kensington； the fog had it all its own way； it swept on steadily； like
thick smoke from a huge fire； choking the throats and blinding the
eyes of foot…passengers； stealing through the crannies of the houses；
and chilling the blood of even those luxurious individuals who； seated
in elegant drawing…rooms before blazing fires； easily forgot that
there were such bitter things as cold and poverty in that outside
world against which they had barred their windows。 At one house in
particulara house with gaudy glass doors and somewhat spoiled yellow
silk curtains at the windows； a house that plainly said to itself；
〃Done up for show！〃 to all who cared to examine its exteriorthere
stood a closed brougham； drawn by a prancing pair of fat horses。 A
coachman of distinguished appearance sat on the box； a footman of
irreproachable figure stood waiting on the pavement； his yellow…gloved
hand resting elegantly on the polished silver knob of the carriage
door。 Both these gentlemen were resolute and inflexible of face； they
looked as if they had determined on some great deed that should move
the world to wild applause； but； truth to tell； they had only just
finished a highly satisfactory 〃meat…tea；〃 and before this grave
silence had fallen upon them； they had been discussing the
advisability of broiled steak and onions for supper。 The coachman had
inclined to plain mutton…chops as being easier of digestion； the
footman had earnestly asseverated his belief in the superior
succulence and sweetness of the steak and onions； and in the end he
had gained his point。 This weighty question being settled； they had
gradually grown reflective on the past； present； and future joys of
eating at some one else's expense； and in this bland and pleasing
state of meditation they were still absorbed。 The horses were
impatient； and pawed the muddy ground with many a toss of their long
manes and tails； the steam from their glossy coats mingling with the
ever…thickening density of the fog。 On the white stone steps of the
residence before which they waited was an almost invisible bundle；
apparently shapeless and immovable。 Neither of the two gorgeous
personages in livery observed it； it was too far back in a dim corner；
too unobtrusive； for the casual regard of their lofty eyes。 Suddenly
the glass doors before mentioned were thrown apart with a clattering
noise； a warmth and radiance from the entrance…hall thus displayed
streamed into the foggy street； and at the same instant the footman；
still with grave and imperturbable countenance； opened the brougham。
An elderly lady； richly dressed； with diamonds sparkling in her gray
hair； came rustling down the steps； bringing with her faint odours of
patchouly and violet…powder。 She was followed by a girl of doll…like
prettiness； with a snub nose and petulant little mouth； who held up
her satin…and…lace skirts with a sort of fastidious disdain； as though
she scorned to set foot on earth that was not carpeted with the best
velvet pile。 As they approached their carriage the inert dark bundle；
crouched in the corner； started into lifea woman； with wild hair and
wilder eyes； whose pale lips quivered with suppressed weeping as her
piteous voice broke into sudden clamour：
〃Oh； lady！〃 she cried； 〃for the love of God； a trifle！ Oh； lady；
lady！〃
But the 〃lady；〃 with a contemptuous sniff and a shake of her scented
garments； passed her before she could continue her appeal； and she
turned with a sort of faint hope to the softer face of the girl。
〃Oh； my dear； do have pity！ Just the smallest little thing； and God
will bless you！ You are rich and happyand I am starving！ Only a
penny！ For the babythe poor little baby！〃 And she made as though she
would open her tattered shawl and reveal some treasure hidden therein；
but shrunk back； repelled by the cold； merciless gaze that fell upon
her from those eyes； in which youth dwelt without tenderness。
〃You have no business on our door step；〃 said the girl； harshly。 〃Go
away directly； or I shall tell my servant to call a policeman。〃
Then； as she entered the brougham after her mother； she addressed the
respectable footman angrily； giving him the benefit of a strong nasal
intonation。
〃Howard； why do you let such dirty beggars come near the carriage？
What are you paid for； I should like to know？ It is perfectly
disgraceful to the house！〃
〃Very sorry； miss！〃 said the footman； gravely。 〃I didn't see thethe
person before。〃 Then shutting the brougham door； he turned with a
dignified air to the unfortunate creature； who still lingered near；
and； with a sweeping gesture of his gold…embroidered coat…sleeve； said
majestically：
〃Do you 'ear？ Be hoff！〃
Then； having thus performed his duty； he mounted the box beside his
friend the coachman； and the equipage rattled quickly away； its
gleaming lights soon lost in the smoke…laden vapours that drooped
downward like funeral hangings from the invisible sky to the scarcely
visible ground。 Left to herself； the woman who had vainly sought
charity from those in whom no charity existed； looked up despairingly；
as one distraught； and seemed as though she would have given vent to
some fierce exclamation； when a feeble wail came pitifully forth from
the sheltering folds of her shawl。 She restrained herself instantly；
and walked on at a rapid pace； scarcely heeding whither she went； till
she reached the Catholic church known as the 〃Oratory。〃 Its unfinished
facade loomed darkly out of the fog； there was nothing picturesque or
inviting about it； yet there were people passing softly in and out；
and through the swinging to and fro of the red baize…covered doors
there came a comforting warm glimmer of light。 The woman paused；
hes