"Madam, his son; a young man of only twenty."
"His son! At what time did you say?"
"Thank you; you are very kind."
With uplifted hat, he watched her walk away. It worried him to see a face he did not know.
All went off beautifully; but, dining that same evening with his friend, a certain doctor, the old Director asked:
"Did you see a lady with grey hair hovering about this afternoon?"
The doctor, a tall man, with a beard still yellow, drew his guest's chair nearer to the fire.
"I did."
"Did you remark her face? A very odd expression—a sort of—what shall I call it?—Very odd indeed! Who is she? I saw her at the grave this morning."