He drank his tea and went back to his study, instead of staying
a while, and talking pleasantly as usual. My respect submitted
to his want of confidence in me; but my curiosity was in a state
of revolt. I sent for Maria, and proceeded to make my own
discoveries, with this result:

No other person had called at the house. Nothing had happened,
except the visit of the mysterious lady. "She looked between
young and old. And, oh dear me, she was certainly not pretty.
Not dressed nicely, to my mind; but they do say dress is a matter
of taste."

Try as I might, I could get no more than that out of our stupid
young housemaid.

Later in the evening, the cook had occasion to consult me about
supper. This was a person possessing the advantages of age and
experience. I asked if she had seen the lady. The cook's reply
promised something new: "I can't say I saw the lady; but I heard
her."

"Do you mean that you heard her speaking?"

"No, miss--crying."

"Where was she crying?"

"In the master's study."