have conjectured that Andrew might
fail, and might have pictured to herself how difficult and awkward it
would be to sit there throughout the evening alone and return alone;
but she did not possess the faculty of picturing uncertainties any
distance ahead, although the present was generally so vivid. She could
never say to herself: "Probably this arrangement now proposed will
break down, and if it does; I shall stand in such and such a situation;
what, in that situation, ought I to do?" She had, in fact, no
strategical faculty--certainly none when temptation was strong. She
dreaded turning out into the street with the rough crowd, and she
wondered if Montgomery would come to her assistance. The audience
gradually departed; she was nearly the last, and she determined that
she would walk round to the door by which she knew Montgomery usually
left, and try to encounter him casually. She paced up and down a few
moments, and he met her. He was much surprised, and she, with some
excitement, explained to him that she had left home a little before
Andrew, expecting him to overtake her, but that she had seen nothing of
him.

"Of course you will let me accompany you to your lodgings?"

"Thank you; it is very kind of you."

She took the arm he offered her. She thought she detected he was a
little unsteady, and after a word or two he became silent.

She was not particularly well acquainted with the district round the
hall, but she soon perceived that they were not on the straight road
for her house.

"Is this our nearest way?" she asked.

"No, I can't say it is; but I thought you would not object to just a
turn round. It's a lovely night--a lovely night!"

Presently they came into a very shabby street, and he stopped. The
cold air had begun to upset him a little.

"These are my quarters," he stammered. "I'm rather tired, and I should
think you must be tired too. Just come in for a moment and have
something, and then we will go on."

"Oh no, thank you," said Miriam, who was becoming alarmed. "I must go
back at once."

"Won't you come? Do come; just a moment."

But Miriam steadfastly refused.

"Nonsense, come in just for a second till I----" and he used some
little force to compel her. She looked round, and without any mental
process of which she was conscious determining her to action, instantly
slipped from him, and ran with furious haste. She inquired her way of
a policeman, but otherwise she saw no