breeding but
unmistakable interest of the warmest kind. His age might perhaps be
thirty; he was dressed well, and in all respects conventionally.

In Eve's behaviour there appeared a very noticeable reserve; she rarely
turned her face to him while he spoke, and seemed to make only the
briefest remarks. Her attention was given to the objects they passed.

Totally unconscious of the scenes through which he was moving, Hilliard
tracked the couple for more than an hour. He noticed that the man once
took out his watch, and from this trifling incident he sought to derive
a hope; perhaps Eve would be quit ere long of the detested
companionship. They came at length to where a band was playing, and sat
down on chairs; the pursuer succeeded in obtaining a seat behind them,
but the clamour of instruments overpowered their voices, or rather the
man's voice, for Eve seemed not to speak at all. One moment, when her
neighbour's head approached nearer than usual to hers, she drew
slightly away.

The music ceased, whereupon Eve's companion again consulted his watch.

"It's a most unfortunate thing." He was audible now. "I can't possibly
stay longer."

Eve moved on her chair, as if in readiness to take leave of him, but
she did not speak.

"You think it likely you will meet Miss Ringrose?"

Eve answered, but the listener could not catch her words.

"I'm so very sorry. If there had been any----"

The voice sank, and Hilliard could only gather from observance of the
man's face that he was excusing himself in fervent tones for the
necessity of departure. Then they both rose and walked a few yards
together. Finally, with a sense of angry exultation, Hilliard saw them
part.

For a little while Eve stood watching the musicians, who were making
ready to play a new piece. As soon as the first note sounded she moved
slowly, her eyes cast down. With fiercely throbbing heart, thinking and
desiring and hoping he knew not what, Hilliard once more followed her.
Night had now fallen; the grounds of the Exhibition shone with
many-coloured illumination; the throng grew dense. It was both easy and
necessary to keep very near to the object of his interest.

There sounded a clinking of plates, cups, and glasses. People were
sitting at tables in the open air, supplied with refreshments by the
waiters who hurried hither and thither. Eve, after a show of
hesitation, took a seat by a little round table which stood apart; her
pursuer found a place