“In the lobby; of course,” replied Thara, “There at the Chateau Parkview. You said very funny things” - Thara supplied a contralto laugh - “about moonlight and a drive in the park. Of course there is no moonlight” - Thara tilted her face upward - “but it was nice to take a drive. Provided one thing” - her eyes were lowered toward Phil again - “provided that you did not mistake me for this girl Arlene.”
Phil shook his head.
“I don’t think I could have, Thara.”
“She is blonde,” said Thara, “I am brunette. Is that the reason why you could not mistake us until just a few minutes ago, because it was so very dark here?”
“There’s another reason,” Phil admitted. “I had an argument with Arlene, but so far I’ve had none with you, Thara. Maybe it makes a difference if you argue -”
An argument was due right then. Up ahead, the hansom had increased its speed and the changing pace of the horse caught Phil’s ear. Rising in the open carriage, Phil gained a chance view above some shrubs along the bend which the hansom had just taken.
“That hack!” he exclaimed. “It’s turning off the drive, the way the taxicab did last night!”
Before Thara could stop him, Phil sprang from the carriage. Thara’s hands were encumbered by a candy box which she was holding in the folds of her cape and in his haste Phil knocked the box to the floor as the girl tried to pluck his arm.
Grabbing for the box, Thara caught it before it could fall from the carriage, but lost Phil in the process. As he dashed past the bushes, Phil heard Thara call after him:
“Wait, Phil! Don’t go - not yet -”