The last words were true, and were suggested by a sudden start from one of their guests, who sat opposite Mr. Coleman, when the latter gentleman addressed a laughing remark to Alice. There was something in the manner of the former which made her suspect this was not the first time they had met, though they had been introduced half an hour earlier and had shaken hands like strangers.
She watched them until quite assured that the continued gaze of the stranger was far from pleasing to the other, and only waited a favorable opportunity when they had returned to the drawing room to make inquiries on the subject. Only one circumstance helped her to go through the different courses with any degree of comfort, and that was the fact, that her niece, turning from the fulsome compliments of Mr. Coleman, paid marked attention to the other guests.
She might have known Alice well enough to suspect that she was acting out lie the seventh.
Miss Saunders's plot of discovery was, however, prevented by a circumstance which occurred after dinner.
Mr. Coleman was standing under the chandelier, where the strong rays of the gas-light fell directly on him, looking carelessly over a book of choice engravings, while Alice was talking with a gentleman by the window, when the stranger suddenly stepped toward him and, touching his arm, said in a low voice,—
"I think, sir, I have met you before."
"I—I hardly think I have had that honor," returned Mr. Coleman, with an evident struggle to retain his composure.
"It was while on a tour to the lakes," persisted the stranger, "you were in the employ of government."
"Ha, ha! That's a good joke!" Mr. Coleman exclaimed, with a forced laugh. "I wish I had been so fortunate; but, ha, ha, ha! Government has never deigned to notice me."
"Excuse me, sir," replied the other, turning to Miss Saunders who stood near, devouring every word; "but these resemblances are very striking."