s
they merged into the cool, salt air after the warmer atmosphere of the
city--seemed no more to her than flies buzzing round a path she was
bent on following.

Wilf came past, taking long strides and wearing a new hat which he
removed slightly; giving a sideways, condescending nod which said as
plainly as words: "If you're waiting for _me_, miss, it's no go!"

But though she nodded in return, she was not actually aware of him.
Her heart beat unevenly and she felt a suspense which ran through every
nerve and every vein--she had no feeling beyond it. Her face was ashen
as she stood by the entrance to the station, with the breakers beyond
looking cruel in the cold light. Her eyes shone black, owing to the
pupils being so distended, but she appeared pinched and quiet as she
stood there, at the edge of the crowd, for her whirling emotions had
now reached that point which looks like stillness.

All of a sudden the blood rushed up over her forehead, and she
instinctively put her hand to her heart because it seemed to be leaping
out of its place. Here was Godfrey at last, walking with another man.
She moved forward and stood directly in his way, so that he must see
her. "Good evening," he said, then continued his conversation with the
broad, prosperous-looking merchant who walked by his side.

Caroline remained planted there, staring after them with an almost
foolish expression on her face. She could not take it in. It seemed
incredible. Then the two men vanished round the corner, and at the
same moment she heard a girl saying in her ear: "Cheer up, Carrie! If
Wilf hasn't caught this, he will get the next. He isn't dead."

"What do you mean?" said Carrie, but her voice sounded muffled and
vague, even to herself.

"Why, you came to meet your boy, didn't you? And he hasn't turned up.
That's what you looked like, anyway," said the girl, laughing.

Carrie made an immense effort to fight off that feeling of faintness,
saying jerkily: "Oh, well, I'm off with Wilf, you know." But the words
seemed to echo in some great, vague place a long distance away.

_Chapter XVII_

_The Benefit Concert_

During the evening and many hours of the night Caroline remained in a
white heat of anger and hurt pride which left no room for regret. It
was true, then, that Godfrey had only been behaving to her all the time
as Aunt Creddle said gentlemen did behave to working girls upon whom
they bestowed their attentions. She'd