This done, she shut the door, and made her way down-stairs.

"Tell Mrs.Stanton when she comes in," she said to the old woman who acted as janitor, "that I've gone to see my brother, and that I'll be back just as soon as I can." All hopes which had cheered Lady Barbara on her way to Rosenthal's, even when she climbed the long stairs and was ushered into Mangan's small office, died out of her heart when she saw the manager's face.

She had anticipated an outburst of anger, followed by a brutal tirade over her carelessness in wrapping up the mantilla with the other pieces and leaving it behind her the night before.

Instead, he came forward to meet her--his lean, nervous body twitching with expectation.
"Well, this is something like! Didn't think you'd turn up for an hour.
Let's have it." This with a low chuckle--the nearest he ever got to a laugh.
"Something dreadful has happened, Mr.Mangan," she began, stumbling over her words, her knees shaking under her.

"I thought I had wrapped the mantilla up with the pieces I brought you last night, but I see now that--" "You thought! Say, what are you giving me?
Ain't you got it ?" "I have not, and I don't know what has become of it.