in that case when the
taxi is unloaded, the box will be sent back to the lost luggage office,
or forwarded to your address. Was the full address on the box, by the
way?"

Claire nodded assent.

"Oh, yes; I have that poor satisfaction at least. I was most methodical
and prudent, but I don't know that that's going to be much consolation
if I lose my nice frocks, and am too poor to buy any more."

The last phrase was prompted by a proud determination to sail under no
false colours in the eyes of Mrs Fanshawe's son; but the picture evoked
thereby was sufficiently tragic to bring a cloud over her face. The
memory of each separate gown rose before her, looking distractingly
dainty and becoming; she saw a vision of herself as she might have been,
and faced a future bounded by eternal blue serge. All the tragedy of
the thought was in her air, and her companion cried quickly--

"You won't need to buy them! They'll turn up all right, I am quite sure
of that. The worst that can happen is a day or two's delay. After all,
you know, there are thousands of honest folk to a single thief, and even
a thief would probably prefer a small money reward to useless halves of
dresses! If you hear nothing by to-morrow, you might offer a reward."

"Oh, I will!" Claire said gratefully. "Thank you for thinking of it."

No more porters having for the moment appeared in sight, they now
turned, and slowly retraced their steps. Claire, covertly regarding her
companion, wondered why she felt convinced that he was a soldier;
Erskine Fanshawe in his turn covertly regarded Claire, and wondered why
it was that she seemed different from any girl he had seen before. Then
tentatively he put a personal question.

"Do you know London well, Miss Gifford? My mother told me you were--
er--coming to settle--"

"Not at all well, as a whole. I know the little bit around Regent
Street, and the Park, and the places one sees in a week's visit, but
that's all. We never stayed long in town when we came to England. I
shall enjoy exploring on half holidays when I am free from work. I am a
school-mistress!" said Claire with an air, and gathered from her
companion's face that he knew as much already, and considered it a
subject for commiseration. He looked at her with sympathetic eyes, and
asked deeply--

"Hate it very much?"

"Not at all. Quite the contrary. I adore it. At least, that's to say,
I haven't begun yet, but I feel sure I _shall_!"