It was dark in the passage, and Madge was a little flurried. She perceived that Jack had a companion, and that was all.
"Go into the sitting-room, I'll bring you a lamp in a minute. Ella has gone to take her hat off."
Presently, returning with the lighted lamp in her hand, placing it on the table, she glanced at Jack's companion--and stared. In her astonishment, she all but knocked the lamp over. Jack laughed.
"I believe," he said, "you two have met before."
Madge continued speechless. She passed her hand before her eyes, as if to make sure she was not dreaming. Jack laughed again.
"I repeat that I believe you two have met before."
Madge drew herself up to her straightest and her stiffest. Her tone was icy.
"Yes, I rather believe we have."
She rather believed they had?--If she could credit the evidence of her own eyes the man in front of her was the stranger who had so unwarrantably intruded on pretence of seeking music lessons--who had behaved in so extraordinary a fashion!
"This," went on Jack airily, "is a friend of mine, Bruce Graham,--Graham, this is Miss Brodie."