The drizzle that began in the afternoon continued unabated, and by evening it showed no signs of stopping. In fact, the rain seemed to be increasing. Shard had hoped that the rain would stop before the night's activities, but even as Dr. Schneider and Miss Luisa arrived, it was still drizzling.
Rainwater formed a curtain at the entrance of the Shard residence, cascading down from the eaves like string of pearls falling. Inside the gate, the warm yellow gaslight shone brightly, blurred by the rainwater. In the strange halo of light, the doctor wearing rain boots arrived first at No. 6, Saint Delan Square, on this damp night, followed by Miss Luisa who came by carriage.
"Good evening, Shard."
The doctor was surprised when she addressed Shard by his first name. But he didn't say anything, as middle-aged men don't concern themselves with the relationships between young people.
