She set her lips. Once that camisole is on, every woman has her dignity. It is a thing to play with, much as a child plays with its box of bricks. She makes wonderful patterns with it--noble ladies--imperious dames, who put dignity before humanity as you put the cart before the horse.
"Why should you think I would come to the Gardens?" she asked.
John steadied his eyes.
"Well, I presume you go up to town sometimes," he said.
"Yes--but one can get up to town by Knightsbridge."
"Of--course. I forgot that. But when you might be wanting to go to Bayswater first."
She looked very steadily into his eyes. How long had he seen her before she had seen him?
"Perhaps you're under the impression that I came to see you," she said, and she began walking towards the Bayswater Road.
He followed quietly by her side. This needed careful treatment. She was incensed. He ought not to have thought that, of course.
"I never said so," he replied quietly.