Mary Elizabeth Braddon 
Birds of Prey 

THE HOUSE IN BLOOMSBURY. What about? There are some houses whereof the outward aspect is sealed with the seal of respectability – houses which inspire confidence in the minds of the most sceptical of butchers and bakers – houses at whose area-gates the tradesman delivers his goods undoubtingly, and from whose spotless door-steps the vagabond children of the neighbourhood recoil as from a shrine too sacred for their gambols.