I felt exceedingly inclined to fall on him and beat him for daring to tune his wretched pipes under Madeleine's window; but a second thought assured me that Gabrielle must be his object; the more so that I was sure I saw her shadow (which was shorter than her sister's) fall on the curtain, and I could even fancy her making merry behind it.

Still, I liked not such a fellow to come prowling about either of the sisters.

I stood my ground, that I might not be guilty of a runaway knock, and when Alice came to the door I made a bungling speech and said, "Oh, I suppose the family are all gone to bed.

I am late tonight." She said, "They are so, sir," and looked surprised.

I said, "There was a street musician of some sort before the house when I came up.