It was generally found that visitors to Granpere did not care to pay for the luxury of this Parisian elegance, and the room was almost always empty.

Thither Marie went, and seated herself at once on the centre of the red, stuffy, velvet sofa.

There she sat, perfectly motionless, till there came a knock at the door.

Marie Bromar was a very handsome girl, but as she sat there, all alone, with her hands crossed on her lap, with a hard look about her mouth, with a frown on her brow, and scorn and disdain for all around her in her eyes, she was as little handsome as it was possible that she should make herself.

She answered the knock, and Adrian Urmand entered the room.