I only went away for your benefit." "_Qui s'excuse, s'accuse_." "But I am not excusing myself; and if you put it so I will go away at once." "_Si vous voulez_--" "But I don't '_voulez_'-- Oh, how disagreeable you can be." "You will stay ?" "Pauline!" called Sophie from across the hall.
"There!" I exclaimed, interpreting it as the voice of conscience.

I left my work-basket and book upon the table, and went out of the room.
"You called me ?" I said, following her into the parlor, where, shutting the door, she motioned me to a seat beside her.

She had a slip of paper and an envelope in her hand, and seemed a little ill at ease.
"I've just had a telegram from Richard," she said.

"He's coming home to-night by the eleven o'clock train.

It's so odd altogether.