242 LOST. 



perfectly still, as if lost in reverie, and her eyes looked heavy 

 with sleep or thought. But as I passed out of the room I 

 looked back. I saAv she had risen to her feet, and standing 

 with her graceful figure drawn up to its full height, she was 

 looking after me, with a look which I flattered myself was a 

 look of interest. Ah, how well I remember that look ! 



The day had been a beautiful one, though sultry ; but 

 in the early evening we had a heavy thunder-shower, the 

 violence of the summer rain delaying my return to town for 

 an hour or two ; and when the rain ceased, the evening was 

 still starless, cloudy, and damp ; and as I drove back to 

 town I remember that the night air, although somewhat 

 freshened by the rain, was warm, and heavy with the scent 

 of unseen flowers. 



It was late when I reached the quiet street where I 

 had taken up my abode, and as I mounted the steps I in- 

 voluntarily felt for my latch-key, but to my surprise I found 

 the hall-door not only unfastened, but a little way opened. 



"Why, how is this, Mrs. Honeywold?" I said, as my 

 landlady met me in the hall. "Do 5^ou know that your 

 street-door was left open ? " 



"Yes," she said, quietly, "I know it." 



"But is it safe?" I asked, as I turned to lock the door; 

 " and so late, too." 



"I do not think there is any danger," she said. "I was 

 on the watch ; I was in the hall myself, waiting." 



"Not waiting for me, I hope? " said I ; "that was surely 

 unnecessary." 



" No, not for you," she answered. " I presume you can 

 take care of yourself; but," she added, in a low voice, "she 

 is out, and I was waiting to let her in." 



"Out at this time of night! — that seems strange. Where 

 has she gone?" 



" I do not know." 



"And how long has she been gone?" I asked, as I 

 hung up my hat. 



"I cannot tell just what time she went out," she said; 

 "I know she was in the garden with the little ones, and 



