She thought better of it. The scarlet was too much. Perhaps if she alternated it with a deep green, it could work. The hall should impress, yes, and evoke the Christmas spirit. But it shouldn't be gaudy or draw attention away from the women's dresses - from her dress anyway.

She lifted her eyes, scanning the shop for the shade of green she was looking for. They had just landed on such a fabric, two stalls away, when a young lady stepped into her view and Catherine's jaw nearly dropped. Was that... could that actually be Miss Tobi Zimmermann? Surely the young American had no reason to be in Whitby of all places. And yet, Catherine certain she recognized her old classmate.

They had never been close, the two of them belonging to different circles of friends. She hadn't disliked Miss Zimmermann, but she and her friend, Miss Danes, and their set, had always seemed a little more unruly than Catherine herself, who had always been eager to excel and impress. All the same, she felt somewhat slighted over the fact that Miss Zimmermann hadn't called on her.

These scruples were put to the side, however. Friendless and sick of boredom, she made her way over to the next aisle. Clutching her purse in front of her with both hands, she took a final good look and then addressed the young lady. "Why, Miss Zimmermann, is that you?"