The gentleman at the door, after dropping his exclamation, remained silent; in silence too the lady advanced.

He gave her no further audible greeting and offered her no hand, but stood aside to let her pass into the saloon.

At the threshold she hesitated.

"Is there any one ?" she asked.
"Some one you may see." She went in and found herself confronted with the two nuns and their pupil, who was coming forward, between them, with a hand in the arm of each.

At the sight of the new visitor they all paused, and the lady, who had also stopped, stood looking at them.