"I am very well，sir."

"Why did you not e and speak to me in the room?"

I thought I might have retorted the question on him who put it: but I would not take that freedom. I answered-

"I did not wish to disturb you，as you seemed engaged，sir."

"What have you been doing during my absence?"

"Nothing particular; teaching Adele as usual."

"And getting a good deal paler than you were- as I saw at first sight. What is the matter?"

"Nothing at all，sir."

"Did you take any cold that night you half drowned me?"

"Not the least."

"Return to the drawing-room: you are deserting too early."

"I am tired，sir."

He looked at me for a minute.

"And a little depressed," he said. "What about? Tell me."

"Nothing- nothing，sir. I am not depressed."

"But I affirm that you are: so much depressed that a few more words would bring tears to your eyes- indeed，they are there now，shining and swimming; and a bead has slipped from the lash and fallen on to the flag. If I had time，and was not in mortal dread of some prating prig of a servant passing，I would know what all this means. Well，to-night I excuse you; but understand that so long as my visitors stay，I expect you to appear in the drawing-room every evening; it is my wish; don"t neglect it. Now go，and send Sophie for Adele.

Good-night，my-" He stopped，bit his lip，and abruptly left me.