She looked up--and found herself face to face with Mr.Le Frank, leaving the schoolroom after his music lesson.

At that sudden discovery, a cry of alarm escaped her--the common little scream of a startled woman.

Mr.Le Frank made an elaborately formal bow: he apologised with sternly stupid emphasis.

"I _beg_ your pardon." Moved by a natural impulse, penitently conscious of those few foolish words of hers which he had so unfortunately overheard, the poor girl made an effort to conciliate him.

"I have very few friends, Mr.Le Frank," she said timidly.