"But, you see, I had some little hesitation in coming here at half-past ten o'clock to make inquiries about my wife--you might have gone to some place else, you know, in which case I should have looked a trifle foolish; so I though that, on the whole, my best plan would be to drop in upon Mr.Ayrton at the House of Commons and drive here with him when he was coming home for the night.

I took it for granted that even so earnest a legislator as Mr.
Ayrton allows himself his nights--after twelve, of course--at home.

I'm very sorry I startled you, Ella.

It shall not occur again." "What time did you reach home ?" inquired Ella casually--so casually that her husband, who had a very discriminating ear, gave a little glance in her direction.

She was disengaging a corner of her lace trimming that had become entangled with a large sapphire in a pendant.
"I reached home at nine," he replied.
"At nine ?" She spoke the words after him in a little gasp.