showed him that Marguerite was absent.

"What!" he exclaimed, "my niece is away? My niece is not here to
entertain you in my absence? This is unpardonable. I shall bring her
back instantly."

Vendale stopped him.

"I beg you will not disturb Miss Obenreizer," he said. "You have
returned, I see, without your friend?"

"My friend remains, and consoles our afflicted compatriot. A
heart-rending scene, Mr. Vendale! The household gods at the
pawnbroker's--the family immersed in tears. We all embraced in silence.
My admirable friend alone possessed his composure. He sent out, on the
spot, for a bottle of wine."

"Can I say a word to you in private, Mr. Obenreizer?"

"Assuredly." He turned to Madame Dor. "My good creature, you are
sinking for want of repose. Mr. Vendale will excuse you."

Madame Dor rose, and set forth sideways on her journey from the stove to
bed. She dropped a stocking. Vendale picked it up for her, and opened
one of the folding-doors. She advanced a step, and dropped three more
stockings. Vendale stooping to recover them as before, Obenreizer
interfered with profuse apologies, and with a warning look at Madame Dor.
Madame Dor acknowledged the look by dropping the whole of the stockings
in a heap, and then shuffling away panic-stricken from the scene of
disaster. Obenreizer swept up the complete collection fiercely in both