“Tell me one place where we have met,” I asked, for, to my knowledge, I had never set eyes upon her before that morning.
“You were having supper at the Savoy with your friend, Doctor Raymond, one night three weeks ago,” she answered. “On the following evening you both dined together at the exhibition at Earl’s Court.”
“And you saw us at both places?” I exclaimed, surprised.
“Yes,” she laughed. “You see how well acquainted I have been with your recent movements.”
“I had no idea that any lady had been taking an interest in my unimportant self,” I laughed.
Yes, it was true, this woman was seeking to fascinate me by those wiles so purely feminine. But I laughed within myself, for I was fortunately proof against it all. The incident was decidedly amusing. Of a verity the doctor is bound to steel his heart against many feminine blandishments.
Ere the words had left my lips, however, our conversation was interrupted by a woman’s voice outside the room, crying merrily—
“Nora! Nora! Where are you? We shall be so awfully late!”
And an instant later a young girl, dressed to go out, burst gaily into the room. She drew back with a quick word of apology when she recognised that her ladyship was not alone, but at sight of her I sat there dumb-stricken and rigid as a statue.
Was I dreaming? Could it be, after all, only a mere chimera of an excited imagination? No; I knew myself to be in full possession of all my faculties. The mystery was inscrutable. There before me, somewhat abashed by her own unceremonious intrusion, her soft cheeks slightly flushed, radiant and in perfect health, stood my dead wife in the flesh!