k.

They both turned from time to time to some one who stood behind them
in the shadow; once the curtains moved a little and a man's hand and
arm showed distinctly.

Micky could bear it no longer; he touched Esther's clasped hands.

"Are you ill?--would you like me to take you out?"

But she shook her head.

"No, no ... please leave me alone."

June had discovered a friend in a seat a row or two ahead with whom
she was trying to carry on a conversation; she had no eyes for Micky
or Esther. Micky gave a sigh of relief when the lights were lowered
again; he could feel all that Esther was suffering, he could put
himself in her place so thoroughly.

If he went round to the box and made sure if it were Ashton, perhaps
that would be the best way; he could manage to give him the tip then
to keep out of the way. He half rose in his seat, but Esther moved at
once, laying her fingers on his arm.

"Oh, don't go--don't leave me here," she said tremulously.

It was not the man himself she wanted, but his presence somehow gave
her a feeling of confidence; if, indeed, it was Raymond up there in
the box. She tried to argue herself out of the fancy; he would have
let her know if he had come to London--surely she would have been the
first to whom he would have come; she was mad to ever think the man up
there in the background could be Raymond.

But the conviction was there in her mind.

"It is he--I know it's he," something in her heart was saying over and
over again obstinately.

The rest of the play seemed endless; she rose with a quick breath of
thankfulness when it was over.

"You are in a hurry," June said. "Haven't you enjoyed it?"

"Yes, oh yes, but it's hot--I want to get out."

Micky was deliberately being as slow as he could--he blocked the way
out obstinately; the stalls were almost empty when at last they left
them.

June touched his arm.

"Micky--is--Esther ill? Look how white she is."

Esther was some little way ahead of them; she seemed to be trying to
get out as quickly as possible.

"It's too hot for her, poor darling!" June said. "Micky----"

Micky laughed savagely.

"It's not that," he said, "but Ashton was up in that box with his
mother, and she saw him."

"Micky----" He silenced her with a frown. He followed Esther as
quickly as he could, but she was outside in the cold night air before
he overtook her. There was a crowd here too--rows of cars and
carriages outside, and women in thin eve