He did not even notice a rather striking and handsome woman, who, surrounded by two or three admirers, yet looked up at Barker as he passed with self-conscious lids as if seeking a return of her glance.

But he moved on abstractedly, and only stopped when he suddenly saw the familiar skirt of his wife at a further window, and halted before it.
"Oh, it's YOU," said Mrs.Barker, with a half-nervous, half-impatient laugh.

"Why, I thought you'd certainly stay half the afternoon with your old partner, considering that you haven't met for three years." There was no doubt she HAD thought so; there was equally no doubt that the conversation she was carrying on with her companion--a good-looking, portly business man--was effectually interrupted.

But Barker did not notice it.

"Captain Heath, my husband," she went on, carelessly rising and smoothing her skirts.