. Yet I own my heart quaked, my pulse leaped, when I suddenly heard breathing and rustling, and turning, saw in the deep shadow of the steps a deeper shadow still⁠—a shape that moved and descended. It paused a while at the classe -door, and then it glided before me. Simultaneously came a clangor of the distant doorbell. Lifelike sounds bring lifelike feelings: this shape was too round and low for my gaunt nun: it was only Madame Beck on duty.

“Mademoiselle Lucy!” cried Rosine, bursting in, lamp in hand, from the corridor, “ on est là pour vous au salon .” 132

Madame saw me, I saw Madame, Rosine saw us both. There was no mutual recognition. I made straight for the salon. There I found what I own I anticipated I should find⁠— Dr. Bretton; but he was in evening-dress.