at first, and she would be obliged to lodge with Aunt Creddle,
going in and out by train every day.

Suddenly, the thought swept over her of how she had gloried in the idea
of travelling with the other girls who were off to places of business
in Flodmouth--all so neat, and nicely dressed, and so independent. Now
that was spoilt, like everything else.

Then the sudden hooting of a motor-bicycle caused her to start aside,
and Wilf careered past--cap correctly poised, slim young body bent
forward. The next moment, he swerved round with a dash and swirl,
shouting out:

"Hello! hello! You'll be getting run down one of these days!" But it
was to show his new motor-bicycle, and what he had gained by her
"turning him down," as well as what she had lost.

Caroline was conscious of his triumphant attitude, though she only felt
a sort of incredulous wonder that she could ever have thought of him as
a lover. It seemed, somehow, to have happened in another life, so far
off it appeared from her present experiences.

After that two girls whom she knew passed, laughing and talking
together on the other side of the road, and she immediately felt sure
that they were making fun of her. No doubt it was all over the town
that she had been "carrying on" with Wilson--a man just about to be
married to Miss Temple, whom everybody respected and liked. There
would be no pity there--only contempt. So she called out "good night"
and went on as fast as she could, fancying what the girls were saying
to each other. "Well, _I_ wouldn't have done such a thing! And I
never reckoned to be as particular as Carrie Raby. But pride will have
a fall----"

She could almost hear them say it as she hurried on, her ambition as
well as her love so deeply wounded that she could scarcely bear
herself. Revolting, fighting--having to find out with exasperated
agony like every one else that those who fight against destiny only
hurt themselves. But as she passed the short street leading to the
promenade a strong current of sea-air blew down it and she turned her
hot face towards the breeze, looking up towards the pay-box which stood
silent and deserted in the fading light. It took on for her now that
strange quality which belongs to places where we have felt a great
deal--as if the walls had absorbed some of the currents of emotion
which had been given out there. She both loved the little wooden
erection, and longed never to see it again. Beyond it