She had come hither without query or comment, and she stood silent and waiting now, but her heart was racing, her color faintly rising in spite of all her efforts to be calm.
[Illustration: They entered wide grounds.] "My dear lady," he began, in a voice whose low, modulated tones scarce could fail to please any ear, "I thank you for your presence here.

Will you not be seated?
It is a very great honor that you give us, and all of these gentlemen appreciate it." Josephine St.Auban curtsied and, remaining silent and wondering, assumed the seat assigned her, at the right hand of the tall and grave gentleman who had escorted her hither, and who now courteously handed her to her place.
"We meet absolutely without formality, my dear Madam," went on the tall and kindly man who had greeted her.

"What goes on here is entirely unofficial and, as I need not say, it is altogether private; as you will remember." "You will perhaps pardon my diffidence at such a time and place, Sir," she began, at last.

"It is difficult for me to understand what small merit, or large error, of mine should bring me here." "Madam, we wish that your abilities were smaller," smiled the tall gentleman.

"That is the very thing of which we wish to speak.