her up so much after her customary hour for retiring. It was some time past one, and Julie was beginning to think that she might as well go to bed, in reality, as it must be too late for any rendezvous that night; when she heard the door bell ring violently, and saw Valentine, a moment afterwards, on the summons being repeated, pass through the passage to answer it. Who the stranger was she could not see, nor could she distinctly hear what was said—but the voice was a man's, and she fancied she distinguished the words, 'Come, come quickly!' At all events, they were but few, whatever they might be—the interview was momentary—Valentine returned hastily into the office, snatched up his hat and cloak, and accompanied the stranger from the house.
"'She has sent for him!' exclaimed Julie, and furious with jealousy, she rushed out after them. The feeble light of the street lamps only just enabled her to discern two figures moving rapidly away, and she ran lightly on, till she was sufficiently near to be in no danger of losing sight of them, trusting to her black dress and soft step to protect her from observation. One walked rather in advance of the other, and as they were both about the same height,
N 3
