Zuleika herself, by the light of a solitary candle, had entered the office and had dropped meditatively into a chair, as she slowly raked the warm ashes over the still smouldering fire.

The barking of dogs had momentarily attracted her attention, but it had suddenly ceased.

It was followed, however, by a more startling incident,--a slight movement outside, and an attempt to raise the window! She was not frightened; perhaps there was little for her to fear; it was known that Hays kept no money in the house, the safe was only used for securities and contracts, and there were half a dozen men within call.
It was, therefore, only her usual active, burning curiosity for novel incident that made her run to the window and peer out; but it was with a spontaneous cry of astonishment she turned and darted to the front door, and opened it to the muffled figure of a young man.
"Jack! Saints alive! Why, of all things!" she gasped, incoherently.
He stopped her with an impatient gesture and a hand that prevented her from closing the door again.
"Dad ain't here ?" he asked quickly.
"No." "When'll he be back ?" "Not to-night." "Good," he said, turning to the door again.

She could see a motionless horse and sleigh in the road, with a woman holding the reins.
He beckoned to the woman, who drove to the door and jumped out.

Tall, handsome, and audacious, she looked at Zuleika with a quick laugh of confidence, as at some recognized absurdity.
"Go in there," said the young man, opening the door of the office; "I'll come back in a minute." As she entered, still smiling, as if taking part in some humorous but risky situation, he turned quickly to Zuleika and said in a low voice: "Where can we talk ?" The girl held out her hand and glided hurriedly through the passage until she reached a door, which she opened.