"We can never tell," said he, "how much may depend upon whether we turn to the right hand, or to the left."
Thus it was with Mr. Heighington on the day of which we write. Instead of taking the usual road upon leaving his office, he turned aside into a less frequented street in the immediate neighbourhood, and suddenly found himself face to face with Kate Donaldson. Although they had met but once, they recognised one another directly.
"Why, Kate!" exclaimed he. "I have been looking for you everywhere."
"Oh, sir, I am so glad to have met you!"
"How is poor Reardon? No better, I fear, by his not having been at the office."
"He'll never be any better, sir. I have been hoping every day that you would come and see him as you promised."
"And so I would have done, but, unfortunately, I lost the card, and could not find out his address. You may have heard that Mr. Marshall has gone home at last, Kate."
"Yes, sir; his servant told me."
"Why did you not ask her where I lived?"
"I did, sir, but she would not let me know. She would not believe a word that I said. But I don't blame her. I have deserved not to be trusted."