Madame Fontaine rose instantly, with a look of confusion. How very stupid of me not to think of it!' she exclaimed. Forgive me, Mr. Engelman-I was so interested, so absorbed thank you a thousand times for your kindness!' She led the way out, with more apologies and more gratitude. Engelman recovered his tranquillity. He looked at her lovingly, and gave her his arm to lead her down-stairs.

Mr.

On this occasion, Minna and I were in front. We reached the first landing, and waited there. The widow was wonderfully slow in descending the stairs. Judging by what we heard, she was absorbed in the old balusters now. When she at last joined us on the landing, the doors of the rooms on the first floor delayed her again: it was

simply impossible, she said, to pass them without notice. Once more, Minna and I

waited on the ground floor. Here, there was another ancient brass lamp which lighted the hall; and, therefore, another object of beauty which it was impossible to pass over in a hurry.

6

'I never knew mamma behave so oddly before,' said Minna. If such a thing wasn't impossible, in our situation, one would really think she wanted Mr. Keller to catch us in the house!'

There was not the least doubt in my mind (knowing as I did, how deeply Madame Fontaine was interested in forcing her acquaintance on Mr. Keller) that this was exactly what she did want. Fortune is proverbially said to favour the bold; and

Fortune offered to the widow the perilous

opportunity of which she had been in search.

While she was still admiring the lamp, the grating sound became audible of a key put into the street door.

The door opened, and Mr. Keller walked into the hall.

He stopped instantly at the sight of two ladies who were both strangers to him, and looked interrogatively at his partner. Mr. Engelman had no choice but to risk an explanation of some kind. He explained, without mentioning names.

"Friends of mine, Keller,' he said confusedly, 'to whom I have been showing the house.'

Mr. Keller took off his hat, and bowed

to the widow. With a boldness that amazed me, under the circumstances, she

made a low curtsey to him, smiled her sweetest smile, and deliberately mentioned her name.

'I am Madame Fontaine, sir,' she said. And this is my daughter, Minna.'

CHAPTER XIII.

MR. KELLER fixed his eyes on the widow in stern silence; walked past her to the inner end of the hall; and entered a room at the back of the house, closing the door behind him. Even if he had felt inclined to look at Minna, it would not have been possible for him to see her. After one timid glance at him, the poor girl hid herself behind me, trembling piteously. I took her hand to encourage her. 'Oh, what hope is there for us,' she whispered, with such a man as that?'

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Madame Fontaine turned as Mr. Keller