Edith inclined her head without speaking, and stuck the note into her bodice.
"And now we shall not have another such interview for a year. Good-bye." He withdrew and let himself out by aid of the key which Edith had given him.
When he had gone Edith sank down and pressed a kiss on the spot still marked by her lover's footprints in the soft carpet.
It was late when the baroness and her daughter returned, and Edith had already gone to her room,—that is, the room which she shared with the maid.
"Send the backfisch to us," commanded Alfonsine, addressing Betty.
"Not gone to bed yet, Edith?" asked the baroness, as her niece entered the room.
"No, aunt."
Antoinette looked into the girl's eyes with searching scrutiny, but failed to find there what she sought. She saw, on the contrary, a proud self-consciousness that was new to the girl.
"Have any callers come while we were out?" inquired the baroness.