As they returned, passing under the colonnade, neither of them noticed a lady in deep mourning, loitering in the open space of the square.

She started as she recognised Agnes walking with the new Lord Montbarry--hesitated for a moment--and then followed them, at a discreet distance, back to the hotel.
Lady Montbarry received Agnes in high spirits--with news of an event which had happened in her absence.
She had not left the hotel more than ten minutes, before a little note in pencil was brought to Lady Montbarry by the housekeeper.

The writer proved to be no less a person than the widow lady who occupied the room on the other side of the drawing-room, which her ladyship had vainly hoped to secure for Agnes.

Writing under the name of Mrs.James, the polite widow explained that she had heard from the housekeeper of the disappointment experienced by Lady Montbarry in the matter of the rooms.

Mrs.James was quite alone; and as long as her bed-chamber was airy and comfortable, it mattered nothing to her whether she slept on the first or the second floor of the house.