"Yes. I mean without meeting any one on the stairway, or being seen by the concierge."
"That is your lookout. I depend upon you to devise a means of doing that."
"Oh, it is very easy to say devise a means, mademoiselle, but—"
"I foresaw this difficulty, of course, but I said to myself, 'My dear Laîné is very clever. She will assist me in this.'"
"Heaven knows I would be only too glad to, mademoiselle, but I really do not see—"
"Put on your thinking-cap. I have never used any but the main stairway, but are there no servants' stairways leading from my apartments?"
"Of course, mademoiselle. There are two such staircases, but you would run a great risk of meeting the servants if you used either of them; that is," added the governess, thoughtfully,—"that is unless you should choose the time that they are at dinner, about eight o'clock, for example."
"Your idea is an admirable one."
"Mademoiselle should not rejoice too soon."
"Why?"