His mother-in-law woke two hours later; looked at her watch; and discovered that she had lost her opportunity.

Other old women, under similar circumstances, might have felt discouraged.
This old woman believed in her own suspicions more devoutly than ever.
When the breakfast-bell rang, Sydney found Mrs.Presty in the corridor, waiting to say good morning.
"I wonder what you were doing last night, when you ought to have been in bed ?" the old lady began, with a treacherous amiability of manner.

"Oh, I am not mistaken! your door was open, my dear, and I looked in." "Why did you look in, Mrs.Presty ?" "My young friend, I was naturally anxious about you.

I am anxious still.
Were you in the house?
or out of the house ?" "I was walking in the garden," Sydney replied.
"Admiring the moonlight ?" "Yes; admiring the moonlight." "Alone, of course ?" Sydney's friend suggested.
And Sydney took refuge in prevarication.

"Why should you doubt it ?" she said.
Mrs.Presty wasted no more time in asking questions.