s
nothing in it; but she took it upstairs and read it again in her
bedroom, and finally locked it up in her desk, putting it in a little
secret drawer which opened with a spring. She had in her possession
something in his hand--she was going out with him; and the outlook from
her back window over the tiles was not to be surpassed by that down a
Devonshire glen in mid-summer, with Devonshire azure on the sea.

The evening came, and Mr. Montgomery called before Andrew had arrived.
Miriam was, nevertheless, ready. She asked him if he would like
anything; could she get him any tea? But he had prepared himself for
his night's work by a drop of whisky, and did not care for tea. He did
not, however, suggest any more whisky; he was always indeed
particularly careful not to overstep the mark before his performances,
whatever he might do afterwards.

"Really, Mr. Montgomery, this is too kind of you to take the trouble to
come here out of your way for Andrew and myself."

"It is not out of my way, Miss Tacchi, and I do not believe that you
can honestly say that I, who have been idling about for three or four
hours, could find it a trouble to be here."

"Do you think I deal in hypocritical compliments?"

"Of course not; but we are all of us liars a little bit--women more
than men; and perhaps they are never so delightful as when they are
telling their little bits of falsehoods. They speak the truth, but
they _do_ lie--truth and lie, lie and truth--the truest truth, the most
lying lie;" and Mr. Montgomery took up a couple of wax ornamental
apples which were on the mantelpiece and tossed them up alternately
with one hand with the greatest dexterity, replacing them on the
mantelpiece with a smile.

At that moment Andrew appeared at the door, and in a few moments they
were all three ready. Just as they were departing, a gentleman came
downstairs.

"Pardon me," he said, speaking to Miriam, "do you live in this house?"

"Yes."

"Miss Tippit is very dangerously ill. I am her doctor. I do not like
to leave her alone with the little girl. I am going to fetch a nurse,
and will probably be able to get one in an hour. Do you mind waiting
till I return?"

Miriam was almost beside herself. She was not simply vexed, but she
cursed Miss Tippit, and would have raged at her if the presence of
others had not restrained her.

"It is extremely awkward. I have a most pressing engagement."

Andrew stared. He did not see anyth