They had agreed to be old friends--old friends.

He would be a true friend to her.
He rose and threw away his half-smoked cigar.
Keith called on Mrs.Lancaster just before he left for the South.

Though he had no such motive when he put off his visit, he could not have done a wiser thing.

It was a novel experience for her to invite a man to call on her and not have him jump at the proposal, appear promptly next day, frock-coat, kid gloves, smooth flattery, and all; and when Keith had not appeared on the third day after the ball, it set her to thinking.

She imagined at first that he must have been called out of town, but Mrs.
Norman, whom she met, dispelled this idea.