A lady of cultivated taste, she must have missed many articles necessary to her comfort; and having money would naturally buy them.

Prevented by her fears from going downtown, or even from going anywhere in the daytime, what was left for her to do but to patronize some such small shop as this.

Its nearness to her late refuge, as well as its neat and attractive appearance, made this seem all the more likely.
A question or two would suffice to settle his mind on this point and perhaps lead to results which might prove invaluable in his present emergency.
Signaling to the chauffeur to stop, he got out in front of this little shop, toward which he immediately proceeded, with an uncertainty of step not altogether assumed.

He did have some rheumatic twinges that day.
Entering, Mr.Gryce first cast a comprehensive glance at the shelves and counters, to make sure that he would find here the line of dress-goods in which he had decided to invest; then, approaching the middle-aged woman who seemed to be in charge, he engaged her in a tedious display of the goods, which led on to talk and finally to a casual remark from him, quite in keeping with the anxiety he had been careful to show.
"I am buying this for a woman to whom you have probably sold many odd little things within the past few days.

Perhaps you knew her taste, and can help me choose what will please her.