The fire had gone out, but on a chair by it was laid a little black lace evening-gown, evidently put out to be worn; while over the fender a dainty pair of silk stockings had been hung, and two diminutive black satin shoes were waiting on the hearth-rug.

The whole aspect of the room spoke of a sudden and precipitate flight.
"Bolted!" said Charles, when he had recovered his breath.

"And so the mystery is out at last! I might have known there was a woman at the bottom of it.

Unpremeditated, though," he continued, looking round.

"She meant to have gone to-morrow; but your recognition of that paper frightened her, though she turned it off well to gain time.