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and undoubtedly Maria does too. If you are willing to go at a brisk pace, we perhaps have a chance of spotting her. Together, we will not draw any unusual attention, and we may follow her to wherever she is staying.”
    “That is a good plan,” she agreed, walking rapidly beside him. “And people will be going carefully, watching that they do not slip, so she will be less likely to notice that the same couple is behind her over a considerable distance.”
    “Yes,” he agreed. “I had not thought of that.” He offered her his arm.
    She took it as if it was the most natural thing to do.
    It was well into the afternoon and Jemima’s feet were aching badly when finally, they spotted a woman of medium height standing on her own some thirty yards ahead of them. She turned to face their direction for a moment, staring up at the light through the snow-laden branches of the trees, her face filled with wonder.
    Harley stiffened. His hand grasped Jemima’s arm, so she stopped as well. Then, as the woman continued herwalk, he moved forward urgently. His pace increased so that gradually the distance between them closed.
    “Is that her? Do you want to confront her here?” Jemima asked him breathlessly. “If she makes a scene, we will draw everyone’s attention, and if she leaves, we may not be able to follow her to wherever she is lodging.”
    “I think it is her, but I can’t be entirely sure.” He let out his breath in annoyance, and slowed down again, allowing the woman in front to reach the edge of the park and walk along the pavement toward a crossing.
    The traffic eased and they followed the woman to the other side. She continued along the footpath and they moved a little closer to her so as not to lose her in the general crowd as they went eastward.
    “Have you thought what you will say to her?” Jemima asked, but she did not quite hear his reply amid the sounds of the street and the crunch of footsteps in the snow.
    Once, she lost Harley in crossing a busy road whose name was merely a number, like most of the ones around them. A wave of panic swept over her. Then she remembered that she had money, she knew the address of the Albright mansion, and she was certainly capable ofspeaking the language and asking for assistance. There were public conveyances here, just as there were in London. She took a deep breath to calm herself.
    The next moment, he was there beside her.
    “You had better take my arm, Miss Pitt,” he said a little sharply. “It would be disastrous if I were to lose you.”
    “It would be inconvenient,” she corrected him. “I am afraid an elderly lady stepped between us and I could not move around her to keep up with you.”
    “It can’t be helped. I lost the woman, but I am fairly certain it was Maria, and I believe I know the neighborhood where she went. We will go there tomorrow when we have prepared ourselves, and we shall find her exact rooms. Your assistance has been of the highest order, Miss Pitt, and our whole family owes you a considerable debt.” He started to walk back the way they had come, automatically taking her with him. “Phinnie will never know of it. I am sure you have more grace and tact than to tell her, but I shall not forget what you have done. I am truly grateful. Now if you are ready, we shall find a cab and return home. It is getting dark, and I think it is very much colder.”
    Jemima was glad to agree.

D inner was full of conversation about the wedding: Were they sure the right flowers would be available? Was Aunt Mabel going to recover her health in time to attend? Was the cake perfectly iced yet? Jemima was asked politely about her day, but as soon as she had made clear that it had been enjoyable, and that she was impressed by the beauty of the park in its white covering, discussion returned to the wedding.
    She felt a little left out; she didn’t know most of the people referred to. But she reminded herself that she was here to look after Phinnie and see