At the same time, it was noticeable (perhaps only as a coincidence) that the evening chosen for showing the house to the widow, was also the evening on which Mr.Keller had an engagement with some friends in another part of the city.
As the hour approached for the arrival of the ladies, I saw that Mr.
Engelman looked at me with an expression of embarrassment.
"Are you not going out this evening, David ?" he asked.
"Am I in the way, sir ?" I inquired mischievously.
"Oh, no!" "In that case then, I think I shall stay at home." He said no more, and walked up and down the room with an air of annoyance.

The bell of the street-door rang.

He stopped and looked at me again.
"Visitors ?" I said.
He was obliged to answer me.

"Friends of mine, David, who are coming to see the house." I was just sufficiently irritated by his persistence in keeping up the mystery to set him the example of speaking plainly.
"Madame Fontaine and her daughter ?" I said.
He turned quickly to answer me, and hesitated.

At the same moment, the door was opened by the sour old housekeeper, frowning suspiciously at the two elegantly-dressed ladies whom she ushered into the room.
If I had been free to act on my own impulse, I should certainly (out of regard for Mr.Engelman) have refrained from accompanying the visitors when they were shown over the house.