While thus occupied, a male servant, dressed in rich livery, entered, and addressed his mistress in these words:
"Madam, he wishes to see you."
"He! Whom do you mean?" said Frank, raising her eyes but without changing her position.
"That queer stranger, who never gives his name,—who has been here so often within the last three weeks,—I mean the one who wears the blue cloak with ever-so-many capes."
Frank started up in her chair.
"Show him in," she said,—"Yet stay a moment, Walker. Are all the arrangements made for to-night?"
"Everything has been done, precisely as Madam ordered it to be done," said the servant obsequiously.
He then retired and presently the visitor entered. The room is wrapped in twilight and we cannot trace the details of his appearance clearly, for he seats himself in the shadow, opposite Frank. We can discern, however, that his tall form, bent with age, is clad in a blue cloak with numerous capes, and he wears a black fur hat with ample brim. He takes his seat quietly, and rests his hand upon the head of his cane.
Not a word was spoken for several minutes. Each seemed to be waiting for the other to commence the conversation. Frank at last broke the embarrassing stillness.
"Soh! you are here again."