nd Claire made her adieux, and sprang lightly to the ground.

The chauffeur had stopped before the wrong house, but he did not
discover his mistake as Claire purposely stood still until he had turned
the car and started to retrace his way westward. The evening was fine
though chill, and the air was refreshing after the crowded heat of Lady
---'s rooms. Claire had only the length of a block to walk, and she
went slowly, drawing deep breaths to fill her tired lungs.

The afternoon had passed pleasantly enough, but it had left her feeling
flat and depressed. She questioned herself as to the cause of her
depression. Was she jealous of those other girls who lived lives of
luxury and idleness? Honestly she was not. She was not in the position
of a girl who had known nothing but poverty, and who therefore felt a
girl's natural longing for pretty rooms, pretty clothes, and a taste of
gaiety and excitement. Claire had known all these things, and could
know them again; neither was she in the position of a working girl who
has no one to help in the day of adversity, for a comfortable home was
open to her at any moment. No! she was not jealous: she probed still
deeper, and acknowledged that she was disappointed! Last time that she
had whistled in public--

Claire shook her head with an impatient toss. This was feeble. This
was ridiculous. A man whom she had met twice! A man whose mother had
refused an introduction. A man whom Janet--

"I must get to work, and prepare my lesson for Monday. Nothing like
good work to drive away these sentimental follies!"

But Fate was not kind, for right before her eyes were a couple of lovers
strolling onward, the man's hand through the girl's arm, his head bent
low over hers. Claire winced at the sight, but the next moment her
interest quickened in a somewhat painful fashion, as the man
straightened himself suddenly, and swung apart with a gesture of
offence. The lovers were quarrelling! Now the width of the pavement
was between them; they strode onward, ostentatiously detached. Claire
smiled to herself at the childishness of the display. One moment
embracing in the open street, the next flaunting their differences so
boldly that every passer-by must realise the position! Surely a grown
man or woman ought to have more self-control. Then suddenly the light
of a lamp shone on the pair, and she recognised the familiar figures of
Mary Rhodes and Major Carew. He wore a long li