Ella clenched her fists, and her teeth too.
"Next time!--Oh, I think a burglar's the most despicable wretch on the face of the earth, and, if I had my way, I'd send every one caught in the act right straight to the gallows."
"Precisely--when caught. But you can scarcely effect a capture by standing on the top of the stairs, and inquiring of the burglar if he's there."
"I know I behaved like a coward--you needn't remind me. But that was because I was taken by surprise. If he were to come back----"
"Yes--if he were to come back?" Madge looked out of the window--casually. "I fancy there's some one coming down the road--it may be he returning."
Ella clutched at her arm.
"Madge!"
"You needn't be alarmed, my dear, I was mistaken; it's no one after all. Suppose, instead of breathing threatenings and slaughters 'after the battle is over,' we go down and see what mementoes of his presence our visitor has left behind--or, rather, what mementoes he has taken with him."
"Are you sure he was alone?"
"We shall be able to make sure by going down to see."