"I suppose there will be a lot of people."

"Yes; you will meet plenty of people."

"Hm! I wish you'd let me see you home now. I won't ask to go any
further than the gate."

Lydia laughed. "You should be very welcome," she said; "but I am
quite safe, thank you. I need not trouble you."

"But suppose the cabman bullies you for double fare," persisted
Cashel. "I have business up in Finchley; and your place is right in
any way there. Upon my soul I have," he added, suspecting that she
doubted him. "I go every Tuesday evening to the St. John's Wood
Cestus Club."

"I am hungry and in a hurry to got home," said Lydia. "'I must be
gone and live, or stay and die.' Come if you will; but in any case
let us go at once."

She got into the cab, and Cashel followed, making some remark which
she did not quite catch about its being too dark for any one to
recognize him. They spoke little during the drive, which was soon
over. Bashville was standing at the open door as they came to the
house. When Cashel got out the footman looked at him with interest
and some surprise, But when Lydia alighted he was so startled that
he stood open-mouthed, although he was trained to simulate
insensibility to everything except his own business, and to do that
as automatically as possible. Cashel bade Lydia good-bye, and shook