The heavy door crashed to: the axe had fallen--the pang was experienced.
Allowing myself no time to think or feel--swallowing tears as if they had been wine--I passed to Madame's sitting-room to pay the necessary visit of ceremony and respect.

She received me with perfectly well-acted cordiality--was even demonstrative, though brief, in her welcome.

In ten minutes I was dismissed.

From the salle-a-manger I proceeded to the refectory, where pupils and teachers were now assembled for evening study: again I had a welcome, and one not, I think, quite hollow.

That over, I was free to repair to the dormitory.
"And will Graham really write ?" I questioned, as I sank tired on the edge of the bed.
Reason, coming stealthily up to me through the twilight of that long, dim chamber, whispered sedately--"He may write once.