"How are we ever going to break the news to her," sighed Shirley, as she noiselessly crept from the room. Just outside of the door she encountered Stevens, and quickly placing her finger on her lips, she motioned him to be silent. When they were well out of hearing he announced in a confidential tone:—
"Mr. Murgatroyd, Miss Bloodgood."
"Mr. Murgatroyd! William Murgatroyd? What does he want, Stevens?" She was plainly excited.
"Sh-h-h!" warned Stevens gently; "he's the prosecutor of the pleas."
"Oh, then it is Mr. William Murgatroyd. But what does he want?"
Stevens shook his head, for they were now well in hearing. The next moment Shirley Bloodgood had entered the drawing-room and stood gazing into the face of William Murgatroyd.
For an instant the man started back; he could not believe his own eyes.
"Shirley Bloodgood!" The name fell incredulously from his lips. "You here?"
Shirley held out her hand.
"And you—what are you doing here?" she asked quickly. "I didn't know that you were a friend of the family?"