With a sense of positive relief he backed out of the room and hastily descended the stairs.

The old lady was still in her sitting-room reading the paper.

She set it down at his entrance, and looked at him over the top of her spectacles.
"Pardon, Madame," he said, removing his hat, "I find the rooms of Mademoiselle are open, but all is in darkness.

I cannot make any one hear." Madame took up her paper.
"Then Mademoiselle is probably out," she declared.

"It is generally so at this hour.