It was Aunt Teresa! The old spinster, without deigning to bestow the least attention on the company assembled there, made straight for Mr.Meyer with the utmost composure.
The worthy pater-familias was in the most unspeakable confusion.

He knew not whether to ask the old lady to take a chair, or whether to introduce her to the gay throng as his sister, or whether to deny that he knew her.

But Teresa herself relieved him from his embarrassment.

With a calm and cold look, she said, "I have a few words to say to you, and if you have leisure to quit your guests for a moment or two, be so good as to take me where we may not disturb the company." Papa Meyer at once accepted this proposal, and, opening the door before her, led her into one of the remoter rooms.

They had scarcely closed the door, when a merry laugh arose from the midst of the company which they had just quitted.