"Madame is in?" I asked, in as casual a tone as I could assume.
"Yes, miss. She is in, but she is going out. We thought you had left, miss."
"It's all right, Peter. I'll go up to Madame. She is probably in her room, dressing."
"Yes, miss; with Ernestine; but——"
"Don't trouble. You need not tell any one I have come back;" and I gave him a golden reason for silence. "Hide the fact of my presence and do what I wish, and there will be several more of these to follow."
"I am always anxious to please you, miss."
"I wish to see Madame quite alone; can you make an excuse to call Ernestine downstairs?"
He was a shrewd fellow enough in his way. We went upstairs and I waited in an adjoining room while he called Ernestine out and the two went down together.
As soon as they had gone I opened Madame's door and entered.
"Come, Ernestine, I want you. What do you mean by going away like that?" she said crossly, not seeing me.