As if any girl would ever think twice about me!" Thereupon I descended to the drawing-room, which I found empty.

It was a true woman's room, daintily furnished, with little knick-knacks here and there, a work-basket put neatly away for the Sabbath, and an open piano with one of Chopin's works upon the music-rest.

Leading out of the drawing-room was a small conservatory, filled with plants.

It was a pretty little place and I could not refrain from exploring it.

I am passionately fond of flowers, but my life at that time was not one that permitted me much leisure to indulge in my liking.