though everything they said was trivial enough.

Then suddenly her heart stood still, for the door opened, and Vincent, in
his dressing-gown, came in. He had evidently had his bath, for his hair
was wet and shiny. Thank God! he showed no signs of defeat!

"Oh," cried Mathilde, jumping up, "I thought Mr. Farron had gone
down-town ages ago."

"He overslept," said Adelaide.

"I had an excellent night," he answered, and she knew he looked at her to
discover that she had not.

"I'll go," said Mathilde; but with unusual sharpness they both turned to
her and said simultaneously, "No, no; stay." They knew no better than she
did why they were so eager to keep her.

"Are you going down-town, Vin?" Adelaide asked, and her voice shook a
little on the question; she was so eager that he should not institute any
change in his routine so soon.

"Of course," he answered.

They looked at each other, yet their look said nothing in particular.
Presently he said:

"I wonder if I might have breakfast in here. I'll go and shave if you'll
order it; and don't let Mathilde go. I have something to say to her."