She left them in the other room, and I brought them here,' Harold said, as he returned to the hall, never dreaming that this little circumstance, trivial as it seemed, would be one of the links in the chain of evidence which must for a time overshadow him so darkly.
Now, he was eager and excited, and interested in watching the people as they came up the stairs and went down again.

With the quick instinct of a bright, intelligent boy, he decided who was accustomed to society and who was not, and leaning over the banister when not on duty, watched them when they entered the drawing-room and were received by Mr.and Mrs.Tracy.Unconsciously he began to imitate them, bowing when they bowed, and saying softly to himself: 'Oh, how do you do?
Good evening.

Happy to see you.

Pleasant to-night.
Walk in.

Ye-as!' This was the monosyllable with which he finished every sentence, and was the affirmation to the thought in his mind that he, too, would some day go down those stairs and into those parlors as a guest, while some other boy in the upper hall bade the ladies go this way and the gentlemen that.
It was after nine when Mr.and Mrs.St.Claire arrived, with Squire Harrington, from Collingwood.