She lifted her lashes, startled and curious, gazing at me for the first time.

I met her glance fairly, and the slight resentment in her eyes faded, her clasped hands moving uneasily.
"I--I am not afraid of--of you," she returned at last doubtfully.

"It is not that, but--but really I cannot permit you to accompany me farther." "Only to the place where you said you lived," I urged eagerly.

"I promise not even to take note of the number, and will never bother you any more." Her fine eyes hardened; then sank slowly before mine.
"That--that was a lie also," she acknowledged, half defiantly.

"I--I do not live about here." I stared at her in sudden doubt, yet remained loyal to my first impression.
"All the greater reason then for not leaving you here alone." She laughed, a faint tinge of bitterness in the sound.
"Surely you cannot imagine I would feel any safer in company with a burglar ?" she asked sharply.