her before
they had gone to live in the King's Bench Walk, and Mrs. Brown had
grown very fond of him. She had taken charge of him during the time
Pollyooly had spent at Ricksborough Court and was delighted to have him
with her again. Also she was disengaged for the next two days and was
able to take charge of the housekeeping at number 75 the King's Bench
Walk during Pollyooly's absence.

Pollyooly had not been gone five minutes, when there came a gentle
knocking at the door of the Honourable John Ruffin's chambers. He
opened it to find Eglantine, a pretty, dark, slim girl of twenty-two,
standing on the doormat, carrying a small kitbag and wearing an air of
deepest mystery.

"You're Mademoiselle Eglantine, I suppose?" he said.

"Ye--es. And you are Monsieur Ruffin," she whispered with an air of
utter secrecy. "Ze duchess she 'av been 'ere?"

"She has. Come on in. Pollyooly is making preparations to go with
you," said the Honourable John Ruffin briskly. "She'll be here in a
few minutes."

He stepped aside for her to pass. She looked back down the staircase
carefully and with the greatest caution; then she entered and went on
tiptoe, noiselessly, down the passage into the sitting-room. There
could be no doubt that she was thoroughly enjoying the part of a
conspirator and resolved to play it to the limit.

The Honourable John Ruffin was the last man in the world to spoil her
simple pleasure, and as they came into the sitting-room he suddenly
gripped her arm.

Eglantine jumped and squeaked.

"Hist!" said the Honourable John Ruffin, laying a finger on his lips,
frowning portentously, and rolling his eyes. Then he added in blank
verse, as being appropriate to the conspiratorial attitude: "I thought
I heard a footstep on the stairs."

They both listened intently--at least Eglantine did; she hardly
breathed in her intentness. Then he said in a declamatory fashion:

"I was mistaken; we are saved again."

He loosed her arm. She breathed more easily, tapped the kit-bag, and
said:

"I 'av brought ze Lady Marion's clo'es."

"Good," said the Honourable John Ruffin. "Sit down."

She sat down, breathing quickly, gazing earnestly at the Honourable
John Ruffin, who folded his arms and wore his best darkling air.

Presently Pollyooly's key grated in the lock.

"Hist! She comes!" said the Honourable John Ruffin.

Eglantine rose, quivering.

Pollyooly came in, shut the door sharply behind her, and came