She could see that the Hassons seldom or never had any company.

Standing at the street door looking out, she ventured to walk out a little way.

Her easy gait and idle manner attracted attention of an offensive but common sort.

She was slightly taken back at the overtures of a well-dressed man of thirty, who in passing looked at her, reduced his pace, turned back, and said: "Out for a little stroll, are you, this evening ?" Carrie looked at him in amazement, and then summoned sufficient thoughts to reply: "Why, I don't know you," backing away as she did so.
"Oh, that don't matter," said the other affably.
She bandied no more words with him, but hurried away, reaching her own door quite out of breath.

There was something in the man's look which frightened her.
During the remainder of the week it was very much the same.