I heard the piano in the "salon": so I went in there.
Melanie was playing with the governess.
They did not seem surprised that I came at so late an hour; I only noticed that they behaved a little more stiffly towards me than on other occasions.
Melanie was deeply engrossed in studying the notes. I enquired whether I could speak with my uncle.
"He has not yet come home from the club," said the governess.
"And her ladyship."
"She has gone to the ball."
That annoyed me a little.
"And when do they come home?"
"The Privy Councillor at eleven o'clock, he usually plays whist till that hour; her ladyship probably not until after midnight. Do you wish to wait?"