"You'll be all right," she said. "They'll know the difference in the Bond Street shops. It wouldn't do in the City."
*****
She had been in a jeweller's shop with Barnaby once, and it was in Bond Street. If she could find it ... the girl's suggestion had made her nervous; she would have more courage in going where she had been with him. Would they eye her askance even there? Would they make difficulties, ask questions? The thought harassed her.
She lingered a minute outside the shop, when she had found it; gazing into the glittering window, so preoccupied with her errand that it never entered her head that there might be anyone who would recognize her among the idle people that were abroad. Defending herself by a haughty carriage she took a long breath and went inside.
"How are you?"
She started as violently as if she had been a thief. She had never expected to meet this man again; and there he was, holding her limp hand in his.
"I saw you over the way," he said, "and plunged in here to catch you and ask about Barnaby. How is he getting on?"
At first she thought it must be in merciless irony he was speaking, and plucked up a spirit to defy him. He had glanced from her face to the counter; he was a witness of her singular transaction. She felt his glance burn her. What was he thinking of it?
"Oh, he is getting on very well," she said recklessly.
"Is he up here with you?" said Rackham. Was it possible that he did not know?—She gasped.