Arriving at the dressing-room door, he hesitated.

The papers were enclosed in a sealed envelope, addressed to his wife.

Secured in this way from inquisitive eyes, there was no necessity for personally presenting them.

He went on to the schoolroom, and beckoned to the parlour-maid to come out, and speak to him.
Having instructed her to deliver the papers--telling her mistress that they had been left at the house by Doctor Benjulia--he dismissed the woman from duty.

"You needn't return," he said; "I'll look after the children myself." Maria was busy with her book; and even idle Zo was employed! She was writing at her own inky desk; and she looked up in confusion, when her father appeared.