With a word of thanks she seated herself, and when I placed a hassock at her feet she stretched out one tiny foot upon it coquettishly, although with such natural grace that there was nothing fast about her.
I stood upon the hearthrug looking at her, and when our eyes met she laughed a bright, merry laugh, all the misgivings she had previously entertained having now vanished.
“First, you must be faint, for it is so late,” and touching the bell Simes instantly answered, and I ordered port wine and glasses.
She protested instantly, but on being pressed sipped half a glass and left the remainder.
We chatted on as Simes, who had been waiting on us, with a glance of wonder, left and closed the door.
Then, rising, I took down the Directory from the bookcase and opened it at the “Streets.” She rose from her chair, and gazed eagerly upon the great puzzling volume until I came to Ellerdale Street.
“Ellerdale Street, Lewisham,” I read aloud. “From Porson Street to Ermine Road. Do those names bring back to you any recollection of the whereabouts of your friends’ house?”
“No,” she reflected, with a perplexed expression. “I’ve never heard of them.”
“The street is apparently near Loampit Vale,” I said. “That would be the principal thoroughfare. You no doubt came from Lewisham Road Station by the Chatham and Dover Railway to Victoria—or perhaps to Ludgate Hill?”
She shook her head. Apparently she had not the slightest idea of the geography of London. Upon this point her mind was an utter blank.