All of them appeared well fed and prosperous, and Alton was wondering whether there was any one hungry in that city, when a girl came down the stairway of the building Seaforth had entered.
Alton did not at first see her face, but he noticed that her dress was threadbare, and she was walking wearily, while the man who read dejection in her attitude was sorry for her.

She stopped in the passage, glancing at the card in her hand, then drew herself up a little and with a quick, nervous movement lifted her head.

Alton saw her face at last, and though it had grown a trifle hollow and pale, he recognized Miss Townshead.

Then she saw him, and he moved forward hastily.
"This is a pleasure I was not expecting," he said.
He fancied for a moment that the girl would have retreated.

She, however, looked at him quietly, though something in her manner checked Alton's outstretched hand.
"Are you staying here ?" she said.
"No," said Alton.