'
'Who's there?' I cried.
'Hold a your tongue,' said Madame imperiously to the visitor, whose voice I
fancied I recognised--'_go_ way.'
Out slipped Madame again, locking the door; but this time she returned
immediately, bearing a tray with breakfast.
I think she fancied that I would perhaps attempt to break away and escape;
but I had no such thought at that moment. She hastily set down the tray on
the floor at the threshold, locking the door as before.
My share of breakfast was a little tea; but Madame's digestion was seldom
disturbed by her sympathies, and she ate voraciously. During this process
there was a silence unusual in her company; but when her meal was ended she
proposed a reconnaissance, professing much uncertainty as to whether my
Uncle had been arrested or not.
'And in case the poor old gentleman be poot in what you call stone jug,
where are _we_ to go my dear Maud--to Knowl or to Elverston? You must
direct.'
And so she disappeared, turning the key in the door as before. It was an
old custom of hers, locking herself in her room, and leaving the key in the
lock; and the habit prevailed, for she left it there again.
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