As he finished speaking, they reached the top of the staircase;
and, throwing open a door which stood opposite to them on the landing-place, the man led her forward into a spacious room, richly furnished, hung with tapestry, and lighted by a large silver lamp suspended from the ceiling.
The man threw a hasty glance around, as if in search of some one; then, muttering, “She will be here soon,” threw himself upon one of the cushioned couches, as if thoroughly wearied. Presently, his eye rested upon some papers that lay piled upon the table. He drew the heap toward him, and began turning them over, when his hand was arrested by Paulina’s exclaiming: “How can you? Don’t you know it is dishonorable to peer into papers that belong to others?”
“Humph! You keep a strict eye upon me, my little guardian. This is one of my doings, I suppose, that you don’t approve of?”
“It is,” said Paulina.
“And the others, pray? What may they be?” he rejoined.
“I didn’t like your meddling with the articles in the sledge pockets; I didn’t like your creeping into this house without announcing yourself. It makes me sometimes suspect—”
“Well?” said the man.