There was a prolonged silence, during which the lady worked, and the gentleman read, as if their lives depended on it.
She lifted her eyes from her embroidery to glance his way, and found him looking at her steadfastly--gravely.
"What is it, Reginald ?" she exclaimed, impatiently.

"What is the matter with you this morning ?" "I am wondering!" said Stanford, gravely.
"Wondering ?" "Yes; if the old adage about seeing being believing is true." "I don't understand," said Kate, a little haughtily.
Stanford laid down his paper, came over to where she sat, and took a chair near her.
"Something extraordinary has occurred, Kate, which I cannot comprehend.
Shall I tell you what it is ?" "If you please." "It was last night, then.

You know I spent the day and evening with the Howards?
It was late--past twelve, when I escorted Rose home; but the night was fine, and tempted me to linger still longer.

I turned down the tamarack walk--" He paused.
Kate's work had dropped in her lap, with a faint cry of dismay.
"I had reached the lower end of the avenue," continued Reginald Stanford, "and was turning, when I saw two persons--a man and a woman--enter.

'Who can they be, and what can they be about here at this hour ?' I thought, and I stood still to watch.