"Very likely," replied the imperturbable Doctor; "it is an old habit of mine turning up in unexpected places. Besides, what was I to do? Grace in the kitchen was invisible, Miss Kate had gone riding with Mr. Stanford, Miss Rose was closeted mysteriously with papa. Miss Eeny, practising the 'Battle of Prague,' was not to be disturbed. In my distraction I came here, where Miss Darling has kindly permitted me to remain and study the art of dressmaking."
He made his speech purposely long, that Rose might not see Miss Darling's confused face. But Rose saw it, and believed as much of the gentleman's story as she chose.
"And now that you have discovered it," said Rose, "I dare say we will have you flying on all occasions to this refugium peccatorum. Are you going? Don't let me frighten you away."
"You don't; but I want to smoke a cigar under the tamaracks. You haven't such a thing as a match about you, have you? No matter; I've got one myself."
He strolled away. Rose looked suspiciously at the still confused face of the sewing-girl.
"How do you come to know Doctor Danton?" she asked abruptly.
"I—he—I mean the window was open and he was passing, and he stopped to speak," stammered Agnes, more confusedly still.
"I dare say," said Rose; "but he would not have stopped unless he had known you before, would he?"
"I—saw him once by accident before—I don't know him—"
She stopped and looked piteously at Rose. She was a childish little thing, very nervous, and evidently afraid of any more questions.