They walked on together till the house in the occupation of Miss Stanbridge was reached. She paused in front of this, and said, “Now, my friend, we must part.”
“You reside here?” said he.
“Precisely; your surmise is correct. The hour is late, and I dare not ask you in, but——” here she bent her eyes on the ground.
“But what?” He was going to say dearest, but luckily he checked himself.
“Well I don’t interdict your giving me a morning call when passing this way.”
“And your name? You forget, my dear madame, that you have not as yet favoured me with your name.”
“Neither have you, sir, favoured me with yours,” she returned, handing him her card.
He gave her his in return, bade her good night, raised his hat, and went his way.
“Gatliffe—Gatliffe,” she ejaculated, when she had reached her parlour and glanced at the card; “surely I have heard that name on somebody’s lips before now. Umph, I think I have played my part pretty well. I shall have the extreme pleasure of seeing the gentleman again. I wonder who and what he is. We shall see.”
Miss Stanbridge retired to rest, well satisfied with the evening’s adventure.