onscious of giving him a limp hand. He sat down on the vacant
stool next her, laughing.

"You are a most remarkably fast walker," he observed.

"I had to buy a veil," Flora murmured.

"Has it taken you all the morning?"

She could see she had not fooled him.

"I had a great many other things to do." She was resolved not to admit
anything.

"No doubt, but I wanted to see you very much last night, and again this
morning. I may see you this evening, perhaps?" He was grave now. She saw
that he awaited her answer in anxiety.

"But--" she hesitated just a moment too long before she added, "I'm
going out this evening."

She started nervously to rise.

"Wait," he said in a voice that was audible to the shop-girl, "your
package has not come."

She looked at him helplessly, so attractive and so inimical to her. He
swung around, back to the counter, and lowered his voice. "Did you know
I called upon you yesterday morning, also?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Mr. Cressy and I waited for you together. Did he mention it to you?"

"No." Her lips let the word out slowly.

"That's a reticent friend of yours!" The exclamation, and the truth of
it, put her on her guard.

"I can't discuss him with you," she said coldly.

"Yet no doubt you have discussed me with him?"

"Never!"

"You haven't told him anything?" The incredulity, the amazement of his
face put before her, for the first time, how extraordinary her conduct
must seem. What could he think of her? What construction would he put
upon it? She blushed, neck to forehead, and her voice was scarcely
audible as she answered "No."

But at that small word his whole mood warmed to her. "Why, then," he
began eagerly, "if Cressy doesn't know--"

"Oh, but he--" Flora stopped in terror of herself. "I can't talk of him,
I must not. Don't ask me!" she implored, "and please, please don't come
to my house again!"

He gave his head a puzzled, impatient shake. "Then where _am_ I to see
you?"

"In a few days--perhaps to-morrow--I will let you know." She rose. She
had her package now. She was getting back her courage. There was no
further way of keeping her.

But he followed her closely through the crowd to the door. "Yes," he
said quickly under his breath, "in a few days, perhaps to-morrow, as
soon as you get rid of it, you won't mind meeting me! What are you
afraid of? Surely not me?"

She was, but hotly denied it.

"I am not afraid of you. I am afraid of them!"

"Of th