But another thought struck him now.

It occurred to him that under the plea put forward he would appear to seek shelter from his silence as to her name.

He was aware how anxious he was on his own behalf not to mention the occurrence in the street, and it seemed that he was attempting to escape under the pretence of a fear that her name would be dragged in.

"But independently of that I do not see why I should be subjected to the annoyance of letting it be known that I was thus attacked in the streets.

And the time has now gone by.