though, but came running down the hall, as if she was bewitched. I
was dreadful flustered, for though I was hid behind the wall that juts
out there by the back stairs, I was afraid she would see me and shame
me before Mr. Blake. But she passed right by and never looked up.
'There is something dreadful mysterious in this,' thought I, and I
just made up my mind to stay where I was till Mr. Blake and the lady
should come out again from the parlor. I did'nt have to wait very
long. In a few minutes the door opened and they stepped out, he ahead
and she coming after. I thought this was queer, he is always so
dreadful perlite in his ways, but I thought it was a deal queerer when
I saw him go up the front stairs, she hurrying after, looking I
cannot tell you how, but awful troubled and anxious, I should say.

"They went into that room of his he calls his studio and though I knew
it might cost me my place if I was found out, I could'nt help
following and listening at the keyhole."

"And what did you hear?" I asked, for she paused to take breath.

"Well, the first thing I heard was a cry of pleasure from her, and the
words, 'You keep that always before you? You cannot dislike me, then,
as much as you pertend.' I don't know what she meant nor what he
did, but he stepped across the room and I heard her cry out this time
as if she was hurt as well as awful surprised; and he talked and
talked, and I could'nt catch a word, he spoke so low; and by and by
she sobbed just a little, and I got scared and would have run away
but she cried out with a kind of shriek, 'O, don't say any more; to
think that crime should come into our family, the proudest in the
land. How could you, Holman, how could you.' Yes," the girl went on,
flushing in her excitement till she was as red as the cherry ribbons