“So, so!” thought I; “here is a little bit of adventure if they only come in.” And I consoled myself with the thought that I could not come out of it worst. Soon a couple of servants ushered a lady and gentleman along the hall, and Mr. and Miss Thornton appeared before me, she glowing with health and beauty. They both greeted me warmly, which somewhat astonished my friends as well as myself. I was taken aback, but I had been not a little nettled, and was determined not to be outdone, so said as little as I could.
“Why!” said Mrs. F., “you are old friends, then! All my anxiety was thrown away!”
“I supposed we were,” said I, “until last Tuesday evening.”
“Last Tuesday evening!” exclaimed Miss T. “Why, what happened? You puzzle me.”
“Merely that I took the liberty of recognizing an old friend, and was cut—that’s all.”
“You puzzle me still more. Where were you at the time?”
“Below the place d’étoile.”
“Are you sure it was on Tuesday?”
“Perfectly sure.”
She burst into a laugh, and her father smiled.