.

About Charlotte--and how to let her know--' 'She must not be told yet,' said Paula....

'Sir William dead!' 'You think we had better not tell her just yet ?' said De Stancy anxiously.

'That's what I want to consult you about, if you--don't mind my intruding.' 'Certainly I don't,' she said.
They continued the discussion for some time; and it was decided that Charlotte should not be informed of what had happened till the doctor had been consulted, Paula promising to account for her brother's departure.
De Stancy then prepared to leave for England by the first morning train, and roused the night-porter, which functionary, having packed off Abner Power, was discovered asleep on the sofa of the landlord's parlour.

At half-past five Paula, who in the interim had been pensively sitting with her hand to her chin, quite forgetting that she had meant to go to bed, heard wheels without, and looked from the window.