The furnished house should be hers for some months yet; it had been taken for six months from July, and this was only the end of November.

At the worst--if no one would take her in-- She shuddered at the unfinished thought; and yet there was something in it that appealed to Rachel.

To go back there, if only for the shortest time--to show her face openly where it was known--not to slink and hide as though she were really guilty! That might give her back her self-respect; that might make others respect her too.

But could she do it, even if she would?
Could she bring herself to set foot inside that house again?
Rachel felt tremulously in her pocket; there had been more keys than one, and that which had been in her possession when she was arrested was in it still.

Nobody had asked her for it; she had kept it for this; dare she use it after all?
The street was still empty; it is the quietest little street in Chelsea.