Upon the following day, still undecided what course to pursue, wondering at the Lanier coincidence of the previous evening, Oswald turns a street-corner, where a great surprise meets his gaze.
Standing on the threshold of a business house, facing the street, is Esther Randolph.
The looks of recognition are mutual. Esther steps slightly forward, but suddenly recoils with a look of scared embarrassment.
Controlling all emotion, Oswald passes on as if nothing had happened. Crossing at the next corner to opposite sidewalk, he sees Esther still staring.
Sir Donald joins his daughter, and noting her agitated look, inquires if she is not well.
Esther then relates her strange impression, clinging hard to her father's arm.
Sir Donald assures his daughter that such queer freaks of imaginary recognition often occur.
She still is nervously uncertain.
Even Sir Donald is not fully satisfied with his own theory.
Without suggestion to Esther, he consults registers of several hotels, but sees nothing to satisfy his curiosity. Concluding that this queer impression of Esther is through some striking similarity between the looks of a passer-by and those of that unfortunate youth now no more, Sir Donald dismisses the subject.