She walked rapidly, in her excitement, turning the troubling question over in her mind. She did not realize how far she had gone until some girl she knew, passing and nodding to her, called her out of her reverie. She was almost in front of the University Club. A few blocks more and she would be in the shopping district. She hesitated, then decided that it would be better to walk a little further and take a cross-town car. A group of men was leaving the club. Two lingered on the steps, the other coming quickly out. At sight of him, she averted her face, and, hurrying, turned the corner and walked down a block. Her heart was beating rapidly. What if he had seen her! She looked about--there was no cab in sight--the best thing to do was to slip into one of the crowded shops, full of women, and wait until the danger had passed. Once inside the door of the nearest, she felt herself, with relief, only one of a horde of pricers, lookers and buyers. She felt as if she had lost her identity. She went to the nearest counter and asked for veils. Partly concealed behind the bulk of the woman next her, she kept her eye on the door. She saw Kerr come in. How absurd to think that she could escape him! She turned her back and waited a moment or two, still hoping he might pass her by. Then, she heard his voice behind her: "Well, this is luck!" She was conscious 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."