Her footsteps had scarcely died away ere Ida took down a long dark cloak, and hurriedly donning it, together with her hat and veil, she gathered her effects together, and thrusting them into a hand-bag, stole silently as a shadow out into the darkened hall. As she passed the sitting-room door she heard the sound of voices.
Frank Garrick was still there.
In the shadow of the vestibule door she saw Katie waiting for her.
"Good-bye, and God bless you, Ida May!" she said, holding out her rough, toil-worn little hand.
"Good-bye, and thank you for the service you have rendered me," she answered, with deep feeling. "If we ever meet again, perhaps it may be in my power to repay you," added Ida, the tears standing out on her long lashes.
She little dreamed that the hour would come when she would be called upon to remember that promise.
Out of the house she stole, out into the darkness of the street.
At last, when faint and almost falling down from exhaustion, she ran directly into the arms of a blue coat who was leisurely passing a corner.
"Halloo there, my good girl!" he cried. "What are you doing out at this hour of the night?"
Trembling piteously, and all unnerved at this unexpected encounter, for a moment the girl was speechless.