A stifled cry escaped her, and she grasped at her friend's arm.
"What is it, dear ?" Mrs.Wade looked at her with alarm, imagining an attack of illness.

But the next instant she was aware of the stranger, who stood in obvious embarrassment.

She examined him keenly, then again turned her eyes upon Lilian.
"Is this some one you know ?" she asked, in a low voice.
Lilian could not reply, and reply was needless.

Northway, who had kept postponing the moment of address, now lost himself between conflicting motives.

Seeing Lilian's consternation and her friend's surprise, he nervously raised his hat, drew a step or two nearer, tried to smile.
"Mrs.Wade," Lilian uttered, with desperate effort to seem self-possessed, "I wish to speak to this gentleman.