. I do hope you'll go, sir. She's on the floor
below.'

'Present my most distinguished compliments, madame, and say that I will
do myself the honour to be there. At what hour?'

'Tea's getting ready now, sir,' said the landlady.

When she had gone, I washed myself and put on a clean shirt, and went
downstairs. At a door at the foot of the stains stood the young lady who
had by misfortune brought about this adventure. She led me into the
room and to a lady who sat upon a sofa. The room was absolutely bare of
ornament, and I knew that they were very poor. But it was not possible
to think for a moment that Miss Grammont was anything but a lady. She
was old-fashioned and precise in her attire, and she is perhaps forty
years of age, but her face is as beautiful as a seraph's. She is calm
and sweet and quiet. She is like a Venetian night--sweet and venerable,
and moving to touches of soft music. I took tea with them both--a simple
meal. We talked of art and of Italy. I brought down my sketches and my
violin at their request. I played to them--all manner of things--and
they did me the honour to be delighted.

I am now in my own room again, and have expended my last candle whilst
I have given myself the charming task to set down this day's adventures.
My candle is so nearly burned out that it will not last another minute.
I foresee that I shall go to bed in the----

CHAPTER II.--ON THE SECOND FLOOR.

I have just found this manuscript among my music, and to charm a lonely
evening I will continue it. I remember that the candle went out so
suddenly that I lost the place of my pen, or I would have completed the
sentence. In the morning I had other things to think of. My landlady
came up for the picture and took it away. In five minutes I heard a step
upon the stairs, and opening my door I saw Cecilia--I have not told you
my little English angel's name until now--with the picture in her hands.
For a moment I thought that my inestimable uncle had refused to accept
it, but I saw by her smiling face that it was no misfortune which had
brought her back.

'There is a gentleman downstairs, signor, who wishes to buy your
picture. He is waiting in the hall. Shall I send him up? It is the
gentleman who jumped from the cab yesterday and caused the accident.'

I besought her not to take so much trouble, and myself ran downstairs.
There was an Englishman, broad-shouldered, ruddy, and iron-grey, with
bushy eyebrows and blue eyes a