When his eye glanced for the first time over the labyrinth, he felt bewildered and lost, but after a short time he made up his mind what course to take, and found his way to Charing Cross, and from thence to Piccadilly, Rupert Street, and the parks.
Time flew by, and in the delight of the ever-recurring novelty, he found that it was two o'clock.
He stepped into a pastry-cook's to get some lunch.
Then he hailed a passing stage, and rode a long distance, but whether he was near or far from his hotel he could not tell.
He decided to leave the stage, and inquire in some shop near by where he was, and then, by examining his map, ascertain the most direct course to his hotel.
As he reached the sidewalk, a little girl of ten years, apparently, with a thin, sad face, fixed her eyes upon him. She said nothing, but there was a mute appeal in her look which Frank, who was by nature compassionate, could not resist.
"What is the matter, little girl?" he asked.
"Mother is sick, and we have nothing to eat," answered the little girl, sorrowfully.
"She made herself sick working so hard to buy us bread."
"Then you are not the only child," inquired Frank.
"I have a little sister, four years old."
The announcement of her name made Frank start.
"What!" he exclaimed, for, except his step-father, he had never till now met anyone by that name.
"Alice Craven," answered the little girl, supposing he had not understood aright.
"Where does your mother live?" asked Frank.
"I will go with you," said Frank, with sudden resolution, "and if I find your mother is as badly off as you say, I will give you something."
"Come, then, sir; I will show you the way."
Frank followed the little girl till he found himself in a miserable court, shut in by wretched tenements. Alice entered one of the dirtiest of these, and Frank followed her up a rickety staircase to the fourth floor. Here, his guide opened a door and led the way into a dark room, almost bare of furniture, where, upon a bed in the corner, lay a wan, attenuated woman. Beside her sat the little girl of four to whom Alice had referred.
"Mother," said Alice, "here is a kind young gentleman, who has come to help us."
"Heaven bless him!" said the woman, feebly. "We are in dire want of help."