myself," he explained. "Can you bear the strain
of waiting around a little longer, Laura? I mustn't forget that you
fainted just now."

"Yes, I can bear it; much better than I could bear going to Adela's in
my present state of mind. Don't you think the man we saw had something
to do with this? Don't you believe--"

"Hush! Let us listen rather than talk. What are they saying over there?
Can you hear?"

"No. And I cannot bear to look. Yet I don't want to go away. It's all so
dreadful."

"It's devilish. Such a beautiful girl! Laura, I must leave you for a
moment. Do you mind?"

"No, no; yet--"

I did mind; but he was gone before I could take back my word. Alone,
I felt the tragedy much more than when he was with me. Instead of
watching, as I had hitherto done, every movement in the room opposite,
I drew back against the wall and hid my eyes, waiting feverishly for
George's return.

He came, when he did come, in some haste and with certain marks of
increased agitation.

"Laura," said he, "Slater says that we may possibly be wanted and
proposes that we stay here all night. I have telephoned Adela and have
made it all right at home. Will you come to your room? This is no place
for you."

Nothing could have pleased me better; to be near and yet not the direct
observer of proceedings in which we took so secret an interest! I showed
my gratitude by following George immediately. But I could not go without
casting another glance at the tragic scene I was leaving. A stir was
perceptible there, and I was just in time to see its cause. A tall,
angular gentleman was approaching from the direction of the musicians'
gallery, and from the manner of all present, as well as from the
whispered comment of my husband, I recognised in him the special
official for whom all had been waiting.

"Are you going to tell him?" was my question to George as we made our
way down to the lobby.

"That depends. First, I am going to see you settled in a room quite
remote from this business."

"I shall not like that."

"I know, my dear, but it is best."

I could not gainsay this.

Nevertheless, after the first few minutes of relief, I found it very
lonesome upstairs. The pictures which crowded upon me of the various
groups of excited and wildly gesticulating men and women through which
we had passed on our way up, mingled themselves with the solemn horror
of the scene in the writing-room, with its fleeting vision of youth
and beauty