dug up, and the
soil carefully replaced. She knelt down to examine it more carefully,
when she heard the rumbling of wheels. She sprang to her feet and rushed
up stairs. She was none too soon, as she was hardly seated before Mrs.
Maroney came in. She was greatly surprised to see Madam Imbert, and
exclaimed: "What! you here? It is rather late for you to be out, is it
not?" Madam Imbert saw at once that she was slightly intoxicated. She
replied:

"Yes indeed it is! I found your sister all alone, and she begged me to
stay until she got the children in bed."

Mrs. Cox came in at this moment, looking very angry. "Where have you
been all this time? You ought to know better than to leave me all alone.
Josh. has gone out with Rivers, and I believe they must be drinking. I
am angry with Rivers. Josh. is getting to drink more than ever since he
came here. It is too bad in you to stay away so long! I had to beg Madam
Imbert to stay with me, and Flora has just gone to bed crying for her
ma!"

"Madam Imbert, I am very sorry I have been the cause of your late stay,"
said Mrs. Maroney. Then, pointing to some dirt on the Madam's
dress--which had come from the cellar--she exclaimed: "What's that on
your dress?"

Madam Imbert looked carelessly at it, and said: "Why, I thought I had
brushed that all off! When I was out looking for Josh. I stumbled and
gave my knee a terrible wrench." Then glancing at the clock, she said:
"Why, how late it is! Miss Johnson will think that I am lost. Good
night!"

"No, don't go yet; have a little brandy? It will do you good, as the air
is quite chilling. Do you know that De Forest is a very fine fellow? I
have a much higher opinion of him than ever before." She got the brandy
and partially filled a tumbler with it. Madam Imbert just touched the
liquor with her lips, and then passed it back to Mrs. Maroney, who
drained the glass at a single draught.

"You are doing wrong," remarked the Madam; "you should remember your
promise to your husband."

"Well, I shall not be going to-morrow. I shall suffer for this by having
a severe head-ache. Was any one with you, down here, while sister was
putting the children to bed?" asked Mrs. Maroney, looking full into
Madam Imbert's face, but she saw nothing suspicious there. "No,"
answered Madam Imbert, as innocently as a lamb.

The two ladies walked out of the house together, and Mrs. Maroney
accompanied the Madam a short distance up the street, when they met