ncle.

"You mustn't lock up yet," said the girl, "Eve is out."

"What's she doing?"

"I don't know. At the theatre with friends, I dare say."

"If we'd been staying on here, that young woman would have had to look
out for another lodging. There's something I don't like about her, and
if you take my advice, Patty, you'll shake her off. She'll do you no
good, my girl."

They passed together into the room behind the shop, and though their
voices were still audible, Hilliard could no longer follow the
conversation. He stood motionless, just where Patty had left him, with
a hand resting on the top of the piano, and it seemed to him that at
least half an hour went by. Then a sound close by made him start; it
was the snapping of a violin string; the note reverberated through the
silent shop. But by this time the murmur of conversation had ceased,
and Hilliard hoped that Patty's uncle had gone upstairs to bed.

As proved to be the case. Presently the door opened, and a voice called
to him in a whisper. He obeyed the summons, and, not without stumbling,
followed Patty into the open air.

"She hasn't come yet."

"What's the time?"

"Half-past eleven. I shall sit up for her. Did you hear what my uncle
said? You mustn't think anything of that; he's always finding fault
with people."

"Do you think she will come at all?" asked Hilliard.

"Oh, of course she will!"

"I shall wait about. Don't stand here. Good-night."

"You won't let her know what I've told you?" said Patty, retaining his
hand.

"No, I won't. If she doesn't come back at all, I'll see you to-morrow."

He moved away, and the door closed.

Many people were still passing along the street. In his uncertainty as
to the direction by which Eve would return--if return she did--Hilliard
ventured only a few yards away. He had waited for about a quarter of an
hour, when his eye distinguished a well-known figure quickly
approaching. He hurried forward, and Eve stopped before he had quite
come up to her.

"Where have you been to-night?" were his first words, sounding more
roughly than he in tended.

"I wanted to see you, I passed your lodgings and saw there was no light
in the windows, else I should have asked for you."

She spoke in so strange a voice, with such show of agitation, that
Hilliard stood gazing at her till she again broke silence,

"Have you been waiting here for me?"

"Yes. Patty told me you weren't back."

"Why did you come?"

"Why do