He hesitated.
“I’ll take you a little way, if you like,” he said.
Her cheeks were pink with excitement.
“If I like! And I’ve never been in one before! I’ll fly up for my hat. I sha’n’t be a moment.”
She was already halfway up the first flight of stairs, with a whirl of skirts and flying feet. Wingrave lit a cigarette and stood for a moment thoughtfully upon the pavement. Then he shrugged his shoulders. His face had grown a little harder.
“She must take her chances,” he muttered. “No one knows her. Nobody is likely to find out who she is.”
She was down again in less time than seemed possible. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright with excitement. Wingrave took the wheel himself, and she sat up by his side. They glided off almost noiselessly.
“We will go up to the Park,” he said. “It is just the time to see the people.”
“Anywhere!” she exclaimed. “This is too lovely!”
They passed from Battersea northwards into Piccadilly, and down into the Park. Juliet was too excited to talk; Wingrave had enough to do to drive the car. They passed plenty of people who bowed, and many who glanced with wondering admiration at the beautiful girl who sat by Wingrave’s side. Lady Ruth, who drive by quickly in a barouche, almost rose from her seat; the Marchioness, whose victoria they passed, had time to wave her hand and flash a quick, searching glance at Juliet, who returned it with her dark eyes filled with admiration. The Marchioness smiled to herself a little sadly as the car shot away ahead.