was not yet time for that. She turned back and, with
downcast eyes, made for St James's Park. There she sat for a moment
watching a pelican flop on his island, the waterfowl race and dive. The
problem of life was upon her now and where was the solution? Must I
tread the mill once more? thought Victoria. The vision of agencies
again, of secretaries courteous or rude, of waits and hopes and
despairs, all rushed at her and convinced her of the uselessness of it
all. She was alone, always alone, because she wanted to be free, to be
happy, to live. Perhaps she had been wrong after all to resist the call
of the river. She shuddered once more. A couple passed her with hands
interlocked, eyes gazing into eyes. No, life must hold forth to her
something to make it worth while. She was cold. She got up and, with
nervous determination, walked quickly towards the gate.

The first thing to be done was to get quit of all the horrors of the
day, to cut away the wreckage. She dared not stay at Castle Street. She
would be tracked. She would have to give evidence. She couldn't do it.
She couldn't. Victoria having regained her coolness was in no wise
uncertain as to her course of action. The first thing to do was for her
to lose herself in London, and that so deep that none could drag her out
and force her to tell her story. She must change her lodgings then.
Nothing could be easier, as she had already given Miss Briggs notice. In
fact the best thing to do would be to keep up the fiction of her
departure for France.

CHAPTER XIII

VICTORIA entered her room. It was in the condition that speaks of
departure. Her trunks were packed and corded, all save a small suitcase
which still gaped, showing spaces among the sundries that the skilled
packer collects in the same bundle. Every drawer was open; the bed was
unmade; the room was littered with newspapers and nondescript articles
discarded at the last moment. Victoria rang her bell and quickly
finished packing the suitcase with soap, washing gloves, powder-puffs
and such like. As she turned the key Miss Briggs opened the door.

'Oh, Miss Briggs,' said Victoria quietly, 'I find that I must go down by
an earlier train; I must be at Charing Cross in an hour; I'm going now.'

'Yes, mum,' said Miss Briggs without interest. 'Shall I tell the
greengrocer to come now, mum?'

'Yes please, Miss Briggs; here are the seven shillings.'

Miss Briggs accepted the money without a word. It had fo