The picturesqueness of those ancient streets has departed now.  The Astleys, the Dunstans, the Waverhams—­names of power in that district—­go up duly to London in the season, and have sold their residences in the county town fifty years ago, or more.  And when the county town lost its attraction for the Astleys, the Dunstans, the Waverhams, how could it be supposed that the Domvilles, the Bextons, and the Wildes would continue to go and winter there in their second-rate houses, and with their increased expenditure?  So the grand old houses stood empty awhile; and then speculators ventured to purchase, and to turn the deserted mansions into many smaller dwellings, fitted for professional men, or even (bend your ear lower, lest the shade of Marmaduke, first Baron Waverham, hear) into shops!

Even that was not so very bad, compared with the next innovation on the old glories.  The shopkeepers found out that the once fashionable street was dark, and that the dingy light did not show off their goods to advantage; the surgeon could not see to draw his patients’ teeth; the lawyer had to ring for candles an hour earlier than he was accustomed to do when living in a more plebeian street.  In short, by mutual consent, the whole front of one side of the street was pulled down, and rebuilt in the flat, mean, unrelieved style of George the Third.  The body of the houses was too solidly grand to submit to alteration; so people were occasionally surprised, after passing through a commonplace-looking shop, to find themselves at the foot of a grand carved oaken staircase, lighted by a window of stained glass, storied all over with armorial bearings.  Up such a stair—­past such a window (through which the moonlight fell on her with a glory of many colours)—­Ruth Hilton passed wearily one January night, now many years ago.  I call it night; but, strictly speaking, it was morning.  Two o’clock in the morning chimed forth the old bells of St. Saviour’s.  And yet, more than a dozen girls still sat in the room into which Ruth entered, stitching away as if for very life, not daring to gape, or show any outward manifestation of sleepiness.  They only sighed a little when Ruth told Mrs. Mason the hour of the night, as the result of her errand; for they knew that, stay up as late as they might, the work-hours of the next day must begin at eight, and their young limbs were very weary.

Mrs. Mason worked away as hard as any of them; but she was older and tougher; and, besides, the gains were hers.  But even she perceived that some rest was needed.  “Young ladies! there will be an interval allowed of half-an-hour.  Ring the bell, Miss Sutton.  Martha shall bring you up some bread, and cheese, and beer.  You will be so good as to eat it standing—­away from the dresses—­and to have your hands washed ready for work when I return.  In half-an-hour,” said she once more, very distinctly; and then she left the room.