Good-night." She ran downstairs, humming a little tune to herself, as blithe as a young girl.

I heard a momentary whispering with Joseph in the hall.

Then the house-door closed--and there was an end of Madame Fontaine for that time.
After no very long reflection, I decided that my best course would be to severely caution Joseph, and to say nothing to the partners of what had happened--for the present, at least.

I should certainly do mischief, by setting the two old friends at variance again on the subject of the widow, if I spoke; to say nothing (as another result) of the likelihood of Joseph's dismissal by Mr.Keller.Actuated by these reasonable considerations, I am bound frankly to add that I must have felt some vague misgivings as well.

Otherwise, why did I carefully examine Mr.
Keller's room (before I returned to the theater), without any distinct idea of any conceivable discovery that I might make?
Not the vestige of a suspicious appearance rewarded my search.