She said nothing, and he--most men are cowards with regard to women--he had a vague sense that it was his duty to ask her why she wore that dress, but he did not do it.

He had no reason to suppose her mad; she had a perfect right to array herself in full dress at night if she chose; she was a great deal older than he, a woman worthy of all respect.

This was the tenor of his thought--of his self-excusing, it might be.

He bade her good-night again, somewhat timidly.

Surely, he thought, it was her place to make remark, if remark were needful; but she stood there silent till he had gone back into the room.