"What's happened? What are you doing here alone, at this hour?"
"Trying to decide whether to walk uptown or downtown," she laughed. He drew her hand through his arm, and fell into step, facing uptown.
"But, my dear girl, I can't have you alone on the streets like this."
"Why don't you come after me then?"
"I was on my way—I was detained," he answered seriously.
"I was joking. I've always gone about alone since I was a child. I'm perfectly safe."
"I don't like it, just the same. Where's your maid?"
"Sent her home."
"You wanted to be alone?"
"Yes."