"This is an unexpected pleasure," she said. "How did you know I was in town?"
"I saw you in Regent Street last night," I answered bluntly. "What were you doing there?"
"What were you doing there yourself?" she said.
The question took me aback completely, and the more so as it was asked with an unmistakable flash of merriment.
"Answer me my question first," I said. "You could have no business out alone in London at that time of night, laying yourself open to insult."
"I don't recognise your right to question me at all," she answered, unabashed.
"I have the right of any gentleman who does his duty when he sees a lady making—"
"A fool of herself? Thanks," she said, laughing. "The privilege of protecting a woman, of saving her even in spite of herself from the effects of her own indiscretion, is one of which a man seldom avails himself, and I did not understand you at first. Excuse me. But how do you know I could have no business out at that time of night? Do you imagine that you know all my duties in life?"
I was bewildered by her confidence—by her levity, I may say, but I persisted.
"I cannot believe that you had any business or duty which necessitated your being in a disreputable part of London alone late at night," I said. "But I hope you will allow me the right of an intimate friend to warn you if you run risks—in your ignorance."