Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/33

Rh can remember perfectly that her hat was of some flimsy make, with lace and glittering spear points in it; the whole surmounted with two bows, one of black ribbon the other of salmon pink.

"Oh, how can I thank you?" she began when I came up to her. "But for your appearance I don't know what those men might not have done to me."

"I am very glad that I was there to help you," I replied, looking into her face with more admiration for its warm young beauty than perhaps I ought to have shown. "Here is your purse. I hope you will find its contents safe. At the same time will you let me give you a little piece of advice. From what I have seen this afternoon this is evidently not the sort of place for a young lady to be walking in alone and after dark. I don't think I would risk it again if I were you."

She looked at me for a moment and then said:

"You are quite right. I have only myself to thank for it. I met a friend and walked across the green with her—I was on my way back to my carriage—which is waiting for me outside, when I met those men. However I think I can promise you that it will not happen again, as we are leaving Sydney in a day or two."

Somehow I began to feel glad I was booked to leave the place too when I heard that. But of course I didn't tell her so.

"May I see you safely to your carriage? Those fellows may still be hanging about on the chance of overtaking you."

Her courage must have come back to her, for she looked up into my face with a smile.

"I don't think they will be rude to me again after the lesson you have given them. But if you will walk with me I shall be very grateful."