"Don't forget to leave Puffie here to keep my papers in order!"
With this jest on his lips he went to the antechamber, but, while putting on his fur and descending the stairway, he thought of the auction, where he was to buy a house sold for debt—an excellent investment.
"Is Pan Maryan at home?" asked Darvid of the Swiss at the street door.
The Swiss learned from servants that the young master was sleeping yet.
"What a miserable method of life! I must put a curb on this wild buck immediately. Well, lack of time, a chronic lack of time!"
"Quickly! as quickly as possible!" called he to the driver, while entering the carriage.
He had left the house too late, his daughter had broken in on him with her twittering and fondling—but she is a ray of sunlight!
Cara removed Puff from her father's papers, and, putting him on her breast, almost under her chin, as usual, passed through the drawing-rooms hurriedly. She was late for her lessons with Miss Mary. In one of the drawing-rooms she passed Irene. The slow promenade of the tall and formal young lady, with an open book in her hand, continued yet. Cara, while passing, and without stopping, said, with evident gladsomeness:
"But I talked long with father to-day, long."
"You have done that trick!" answered Irene, indifferently.