It was midnight.  She went to the window and looked out.  The public-houses were being closed, and intoxicated or half-intoxicated persons were groping their way homewards.  Suddenly she caught sight of one man whom she thought she recognised.  He was with a woman, and his arm was round her waist.  Softly she opened the window, and as it was only one story high, she caught a full view of him as he came under the gaslight.  It was Montgomery beyond a doubt.  He reeled just a trifle, and slowly disappeared in the gloom.  The moment he had passed she was not quite sure it was he.  She went downstairs in the dark, having taken off her shoes to prevent any noise.  She put on her shoes again, drew back the bolts softly, left the door upon the latch, and crept out into the street.  Swiftly she walked, and in a few moments she was within half-a-dozen yards of those whom she followed.  She could not help being sure now.  She continued on their track, her whole existence absorbed in one single burning point, until she saw the pair disappear into a house which she did not know.  She stood stock still, till a policeman was close upon her, and roused her from her reverie; and then hardly knowing what she was doing, she went home, and returned to her room.  Every interest which she had in life had been allowed to die under the shadow of this one.  Every thought had taken one direction—­everything had been bitter or sweet by reference to one object alone; and this gone, there followed utter collapse.  She had no friends, and probably if she had known any they would have been of little use to her, for hers was a nature requiring comfort of a stronger kind than that which most friends can supply.  It was unfortunate, and yet she was spared that aggravation of torture which is inflicted by people who offer vague commonplaces, or what they call “hopes;” she was spared also that savage disappointment to which many are doomed who in their trouble find that all philosophy fails them, and the books on their shelves look so impotent, so beside the mark, that they narrowly escape being pitched into the fire.

Andrew began to recover slowly, but he could do no work, and Miriam had to think about some employment for herself in order to prevent deeper immersion in debt.  It was very difficult to find anything for a girl who had been brought up to no trade; but at last, through the kindness of her landlady, she obtained second-hand an introduction to the manager of an immense drapery firm which did a large business through circulars sent all over the country.  Miriam was employed in addressing the circulars.  It was work which she could do at home, and by writing incessantly for about seven hours a day she could earn twelve shillings a week.  The occupation was detestable, and it was with the greatest difficulty that she could persevere with it; but after some time it ceased to be quite so repulsive.