Mademoiselle, I have the honour to wish you good evening."

He made a profound bow, and left the room.

Madelon gave a great sigh, and then came out into the passage
again where Horace was standing. He had been a somewhat
bewildered spectator of this queer little interview, but the
child evidently saw nothing out of the way in it, for she made
no remark upon it, and only said rather piteously,

"I cannot imagine where papa can be; I do wish he would come
back."

"Does he often stay out so late as this?" asked Graham.

"Oh! yes, often, but not when he says he is coming in early,
or when he is expecting anyone."

"And do you know where he is gone?"

"No, not at all. He said he was going to dine with some
gentlemen, but I don't know where! Oh! do you think anything--
anything can have happened?" cried Madelon, her hidden anxiety
suddenly finding utterance.

"Indeed I do not," answered Graham, in his kindest voice. "His
friends have persuaded him to stay late, I have no doubt; you
must not be so uneasy--these things often happen, you know. Let
us go and look out of the window again; perhaps we shall see
him just coming in."