"Has Mr. Stafford returned?" inquired Virginia.
"No, Madame."
"Nor 'phoned?"
"No, Madame. Did not Monsieur go to opera with Madame and Madame Gillie?"
"Yes," said her mistress hastily, "but he couldn't stay. He had some business to attend to. You are quite sure he hasn't 'phoned?"
The girl shook her head.
"No message, Madame. I find out." Picking up the receiver from a telephone on the bureau, she spoke downstairs: "Hello! Who is this? Madame want to know if any word has come from Monsieur since he went away! You are quite sure? Merci!" Replacing the receiver, she shook her head and said: "No, Madame."
Virginia looked away. Her hands were tightly clenched and a hard, set expression came into her face. Rising, she said:
"Very well. I'll get into something loose."
"Oui, Madame!"