Hugh Ritson recrossed the street. Amid all the turmoil of his soul, the incident had arrested him.
The woman was coming toward him. He put himself in her path. The light fell full upon her, and he saw her face.
It was Mercy Fisher.
With a low cry, the girl sunk back against the railings of the convent, and covered her face with her hands.
"Is it you, Mercy?" said Hugh.
She made no answer. Then she tried to steal away, but he held her with gentle force.
"Why did you leave Hendon?" he asked.
"You did not want me," said the girl, in a tone of unutterable pain. And still her face was buried in her hands.
He did not reply. He let her grief spend itself.
Just then a drunken woman reeled back along the pavement and passed them close, peering into their midst, and going by with a jarring laugh.