St. Martin’s Church told him that the hour was turned of six.  Then a purpose that had hung vaguely in his mind like a golden mist took form and substance.  He set off to walk northward, came out into Holborn, and loitered in the neighbourhood of a certain place of business, which of late he had many times observed.  It was not long that he had to wait.  Presently there came forth someone whom he knew, and with quick steps he gained her side.

Eve Madeley perceived him without surprise.

“Yes,” he said, “I am here again.  If it’s disagreeable to you, tell me, and I will go my own way at once.”

“I have no wish to send you away,” she answered, with a smile of self-possession.  “But all the same, I think it would be wiser if you did go.”

“Ah, then, if you leave me to judge for myself——!  You look tired this evening.  I have something to say to you; let us turn for a moment up this byway.”

“No, let us walk straight on.”

“I beg of you!—­Now you are kind.  I am going to dine at a restaurant.  Usually, I eat my dinner at home—­a bad dinner and a cheerless room.  On such an evening as this I can’t go back and appease hunger in that animal way.  But when I sit down in the restaurant I shall be alone.  It’s miserable to see the groups of people enjoying themselves all round and to sit lonely.  I can’t tell you how long it is since I had a meal in company.  Will you come and dine with me?”

“I can’t do that.”

“Where’s the impossibility?”

“I shouldn’t like to do it.”

“But would it be so very disagreeable to sit and talk?  Or, I won’t ask you to talk; only to let me talk to you.  Give me an hour or two of your time—­that’s what I ask.  It means so much to me, and to you, what does it matter?”

Eve walked on in silence; his entreaties kept pace with her.  At length she stopped.

“It’s all the same to me—­if you wish it——­”

“Thank you a thousand times!”

They walked back into Holborn, and Hilliard, talking merely of trifles, led the way to a great hall, where some scores of people were already dining.  He selected a nook which gave assurance of privacy, sketched to the waiter a modest but carefully chosen repast, and from his seat on the opposite side of the table laughed silently at Eve as she leaned back on the plush cushions.  In no way disconcerted by the show of luxury about her, Eve seemed to be reflecting, not without enjoyment.

“You would rather be here than going home in the Camden Town ’bus?”

“Of course.”

“That’s what I like in you.  You have courage to tell the truth.  When you said that you couldn’t come, it was what you really thought Now that you have learnt your mistake, you confess it.”

“I couldn’t have done it if I hadn’t made up my mind that it was all the same, whether I came or refused.”

“All the same to you.  Yes; I’m quite willing that you should think it so.  It puts me at my ease.  I have nothing to reproach myself with.  Ah, but how good it is to sit here and talk!”