It will be such a comfort to me--and how much more to the mayor!" Her lack-luster eyes fell; her fingers closed on the hat whose feathers she had been trifling with, and, lifting it, she moved softly into the reception-room and from there into the hall and up the front stairs.

I stood aghast; she had not even heard what I had been saying.
By the time I had recovered my equanimity enough to follow, she had disappeared into her own room.

It could not have been in a very comfortable condition, for there were evidences about the hall that it was being thoroughly swept.

As I endeavored to pass the door, I inadvertently struck the edge of a little taboret standing in my way.

It toppled and a little book lying on it slid to the floor; as I stooped to pick it up my already greatly disconcerted mind was still further affected by the glimpse which was given me of its title.