"Mr. Browne," she repeated. "Very good, sir. You may be sure I will tell her."
Browne thanked her, and, to make assurance doubly sure, slipped five shillings into her hand. Then, passing out of the garden, he made his way back to the High Street. He had not proceeded more than a hundred yards down that interesting thoroughfare, however, before he saw no less a person than Katherine herself approaching him.
They were scarcely a dozen paces apart when she recognised him.
"Good-morning, Miss Petrovitch," he said, raising his hat and speaking a little nervously. "I have just called at your studio in the hope that I might see you. The woman told me that she did not know when you would return. I thought I might possibly meet you here."
It was a poor enough excuse, but the only one he could think of at the moment.
"You wanted to see me?" she said in a tone of surprise.
"Are you angry with me for that?" he asked. "I did not think you would be; but if you are I will go away again. By this time you should know that I have no desire save to make you happy."
This was the first time he had spoken so plainly. Her face paled a little.
"I did not know that you were so anxious to see me," she said, "or I would have made a point of being at home."
All this time they had been standing on the spot where they had first met.