dark—from Embassy and so on—interferes with work. But to your friends, it won't do—it won't, really."
Hatty had seen her friend's face. It was enough to tell her that this encounter was distasteful to Elizabeth. But, whatever the cause, Hatty felt instinctively that it was better she should be out of earshot. Miss Shaw's reticence about all that concerned herself made the American girl additionally scrupulous not to appear inquisitive. She walked on.
Elizabeth took his hand before she spoke.
"I find it 'does' very well. Lord Robert. You have met me, by accident, here; I hope you will be kind enough not to mention it to any one. You are only passing through Paris, I suppose?"
"On the contrary, I mean now to remain some weeks."
"Promise, then, to forget that you have met me—please do."
"Quite impossible. But I'll promise to tell no one where you are."
"Especially my uncle?"
"Certainly. May I say I think you have made a great mistake in going off like this? Food for idle gossip. Always a mistake to give food for idle gossip. However, no business of mine."
"No one can judge but myself in this case," returned the girl, quickly.
"Quite right. Beg pardon. No opinion worth anything without knowing all the facts. Still, to go by yourself to this pension———"
"How did you find out———?" she began, then stopped. "I see. Mr. George—you know him? How curious!"
