This was the first occasion upon which she had left home for many weeks. And she went now upon a shopping expedition, to purchase white lace curtains for her windows, and white linen to make summer covers for her crimson satin chair and sofa cushions.
She spent the whole forenoon in making her selections; and then, feeling tired and hungry, she drove to a “Ladies’ Tea Room,” where she had once been with Alexander.
She entered and sat down at one of the little tables and asked for a cup of chocolate and some seed cakes, which were soon brought.
While she ate and drank she looked about her with the curiosity natural to one who had lately led so secluded a life. The room was half full of customers. At some of the tables small family parties of parents and children were gathered. At others ladies and gentlemen were seated. And at the table exactly opposite to her own there were two officers and two young women who were dining and drinking wine, laughing and talking, and conducting themselves generally in a manner not agreeable to quiet and well-disposed people.
Drusilla glanced at this noisy party but once, and recognized the officers as the same who had intruded into her box on the night she went to hear the German opera troupe. Chiefly because the party were so ill-behaved, she was afraid to look towards them again. So she drew her veil around between the side of her face and her obnoxious neighbors, and she looked down into her plate.
Natural as this action was, it caught the attention of the officers; and, innocent as it was, it gave umbrage to their female companions.
“She sees that we recognize her,” said one of the men.
And a low, derisive laugh came from one of the women.
Very much abashed, and also a little alarmed, Drusilla left her luncheon half consumed and went to the counter to pay her bill.
But one of the officers got up and followed her, and, as she turned to leave the room, he placed himself before her, and, lifting his hat, said: