She was alone, very much alone.
Drouet really had called, but it was with a very different mind from that which Carrie had imagined.

He expected to find her, to justify his return by claiming that he came to get the remaining portion of his wardrobe, and before he got away again to patch up a peace.
Accordingly, when he arrived, he was disappointed to find Carrie out.

He trifled about, hoping that she was somewhere in the neighborhood and would soon return.

He constantly listened, expecting to hear her foot on the stair.
When he did so, it was his intention to make believe that he had just come in and was disturbed at being caught.

Then he would explain his need of his clothes and find out how things stood.
Wait as he did, however, Carrie did not come.