Under the bed, and pushed as far back as possible, was another of the same kind.

The air of the room was close, and she noticed the stale smell of a cigar.
A murmur of voices from the room she had left so hastily soon reached her ears; but though she listened intently, standing close to the door, she was not able to distinguish a word.

Once or twice she was sure that she heard the sound of a man's voice.

It was nearly a quarter of an hour by her watch--it seemed two hours--before Mrs.Bray's visitor or visitors retired; then there came a light rap on the door.

She opened it, and stood face to face again with the dark-eyed little woman.
"You kept me here a long time," said Mrs.Dinneford, with ill-concealed impatience.
"No longer than I could help," replied Mrs.Bray.