It chanced on one of these rambles that their way led them down a by-street in a busy quarter of London. The street was small and what is called quiet, but it drove a thriving trade on the week-days. The inhabitants were all doing well, it seemed, and all emulously hoping to do better still, and laying out the surplus of their gains in coquetry; so that the shop fronts stood along that thoroughfare with an air of invitation, like rows of smiling saleswomen. Even on Sunday, when it veiled its more ?orid charms and lay comparatively empty of passage, the streets shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood, like a fire in a forest and With its freshly painted shutters, well-polished brasses, and general clean liness and gaiety of note, instantly caught and pleased the eye of the passenger.