I do not know what led me to cast a second glance, for certainly my business was not with ladies, any more than I would have supposed ladies had business there; but, victim of some impulse of curiosity, I walked a step or two in the same direction as that taken by the cloaked figure.
Careless as I endeavored to make my movements, the veiled lady seemed to take suspicion or fright.

She quickened her steps.

Accident favored me.
Even as she fled, she caught her skirt on some object which lay hidden in the shadows and fell almost at full length.

This I conceived to be opportunity warranting my approach.

I raised my hat and assured her that her flight was needless.
She made no direct reply to me, but as she rose gave utterance to an expression of annoyance.