She changed theconversation as though it were a matter to which she attached no importance. Idiscovered presently that a peculiar story was circulating among her friends.They said that Charles Strickland had become infatuated with a French dancer,whom he had first seen in the ballet at the Empire, and had accompanied her toParis. I could not find out how this had arisen, but, singularly enough, itcreated much sympathy for Mrs. Strickland, and at the same time gave her not alittle prestige. This was not without its use in the calling which she haddecided to follow. Colonel MacAndrew had not exaggerated when he said she wouldbe penniless, and it was necessary for her to earn her own living as quickly asshe could. She made up her mind to profit by her acquaintance with so manywriters, and without loss of time began to learn shorthand and typewriting. Hereducation made it likely that she would be a typist more efficient than theaverage, and her story made her claims appealing. Her friends promised to sendher work, and took care to recommend her to all theirs.

The MacAndrews,who were childless and in easy circumstances, arranged to undertake the care ofthe children, and Mrs. Strickland had only herself to provide for. She let herflat and sold her furniture. She settled in two tiny rooms in Westminster, andfaced the world anew. She was so efficient that it was certain she would make asuccess of the adventure.

她改换了话题，好象刚才说的是一件无关紧要的小事。不久我就发现，在她的朋友中间流传着一个奇怪的故事。她们说查理斯·思特里克兰德迷恋上一个法国女舞蹈家，他是在帝国大剧院看芭蕾舞首次见到这个女人的，后来就同她一起去巴黎了。我无法知道这个故事怎么会流传起来，但是奇怪的是，它为思特里克兰德太太赚得了人们不少同情，同时也使她的名望增加了不少。这对她决定今后从事的行业很有一些好处。麦克安德鲁上校当初说她手头分文不名并没有夸大。她需要尽快地找一条谋生之道。她决定利用一下她认识不少作家这一有利地位，一点儿没耽搁时间就开始学起速记和打字来。她受的教育会使她从事这一行业高于一般打字人员，她的遭遇也能为她招徕不少主顾。朋友们都答应给她拿活儿来，而且还要尽心把她推荐给各自的相识。

麦克安德鲁夫妇没有子女，生活条件又很优裕，就担当下抚养着她子女的事，思特里克兰德太太只需要维持自己一个人的生活就够了。她把住房租了出去，卖掉了家具，在威斯敏斯特附近找了两间小房安置下来。她重新把生活安排好。她非常能干，她决心兴办的这个买卖一定会成功的。