Monica had been there said the hostess, but had left nearly half an hour ago.
Rhoda's instant desire was to go on to Bayswater, and somehow keep watch near the flats where Barfoot lived.

Monica might be there.

Her coming forth from the building might be detected.
But the difficulty of the understanding, and, still more, a dread of being seen hovering about that quarter, checked her purpose as soon as it was formed.

She returned home, and for an hour or two kept in solitude.
'What has happened ?' asked Miss Barfoot, when they at length met.
'Happened?
Nothing that I know of.' 'You look very strange.' 'Your imagination.

I have been packing; perhaps it's from stooping over the trunk.' This by no means satisfied Mary, who felt that things mysterious were going on about her.