One morning there arrived for him a postcard on which was scribbled:
"We are going to the Savoy on Saturday night. Gallery." No signature,
no address; but of course the writer must be Patty Ringrose. Mentally,
he thanked her with much fervour. And on the stated evening, nearly an
hour before the opening of the doors, he climbed the stone steps
leading to the gallery entrance of the Savoy Theatre. At the summit two
or three persons were already waiting--strangers to him. He leaned
against the wall, and read an evening paper. At every sound of
approaching feet his eyes watched with covert eagerness. Presently he
heard a laugh, echoing from below, and recognised Patty's voice; then
Miss Ringrose appeared round the winding in the staircase, and was
followed by Eve Madeley. Patty glanced up, and smiled consciously as
she discovered the face she had expected to see; but Eve remained for
some minutes unaware of her acquaintance's proximity. Scrutinising her
appearance, as he could at his ease, Hilliard thought she looked far
from well: she had a tired, dispirited expression, and paid no heed to
the people about her. Her dress was much plainer than that she wore a
month ago.

He saw Patty whispering to her companion, and, as a result, Eve's eyes
turned in his direction. He met her look, and had no difficulty in
making his way down two or three steps, to join her. The reception she
gave him was one of civil indifference. Hilliard made no remark on what
seemed the chance of their encounter, nor did he speak of her absence
from London; they talked, as far as talk was possible under the
circumstances, of theatrical and kindred subjects. He could not
perceive that the girl was either glad or sorry to have met him again;
but by degrees her mood brightened a little, and she exclaimed with
pleasure when the opening of the door caused an upward movement.

"You have been away," he said, when they were in their places, he at
one side of Eve, Patty on the other.

"Yes. At Dudley."

"Did you see Mrs. Brewer?"

"Several times. She hasn't got another lodger yet, and wishes you would
go back again. A most excellent character she gave you."

This sounded satirical.

"I deserved the best she could say of me," Hilliard answered.

Eve glanced at him, smiled doubtfully, and turned to talk with Patty
Ringrose. Through the evening there was no further mention of Dudley.
Eve could with difficulty be induced to converse at all, and when th