But a lady, who had lived in a great house with many servants, who had founded an Amateur Quartet Society, the hem of whose garment had never been touched with irreverent finger--could _she_ stand in peril of such indignity?
Not till now had she called to mind the forewarnings of Sibyl Carnaby, which, at the time of hearing them, she did not at all understand.
'People,' said Sibyl, 'would approach her with strange ideas.' This she might have applied to the grotesque proposal (as it seemed to her) of Felix Dymes, or to the risk of being tempted into premature publicity by a business offer from some not very respectable impresario.

What Sibyl meant was now only too clear; but how little could Mrs.Carnaby have imagined that her warning would be justified by one of her own friends--by a man of wealth and consideration.
She durst not leave the house for fear of encountering Redgrave, who, if they crossed by chance, might fancy she invited another meeting.

She dreaded the observation of women, especially of Miss Steinfeld.

The only retreat was her bedroom, and here she secluded herself till dinner-time.

At this meal she must needs face the company or incur remark.