me. But you must go. I could not forgive myself if I were to be the
cause of your losing one hour of happiness, and I know, Jack, that you
enjoy affairs of that kind so much. Go, if only to please me."

"If you are sure that it _will_ please you, Jessie, I can not withstand
your entreaties," he returned, thoughtfully. "Still, I have the hope
that you may change your mind at the eleventh hour, and be ready to go
with me," he added, laughingly. "I have a few letters to write, and will
see you after I finish them. Remember it is not every night that one can
hear Patti;" and with a few more pleasant words he quitted the room.

For some moments after he had left, Jessie Staples stood leaning against
the mantel, gazing thoughtfully into the fire; then she was startled by
a step close beside her.

She turned her head suddenly and saw a dark figure just leaving the
room.

"Stay!" she called out; and the figure hesitated on the threshold. "Come
here!" and the dark-robed figure advanced slowly and stood before her.
"You are Mrs. Brown, the new companion?" she said, interrogatively.

"Yes," murmured a stifled voice.

"May I ask how long you have been standing in the room?" Miss Staples
inquired, rather curiously. "I did not see you come in."

"I beg your pardon," came the faint answer. "I entered a few moments
before you did, and when the gentleman entered and you commenced
speaking, I--I hardly knew how to make my presence known, the
conversation was so personal. I tried to make my escape from the room as
soon as it was possible. I--I hope you are not angry with me."

"No," said Miss Staples, slowly. "I am sure the facts are as you stated
them. You may resume your duties. That is all I wish to say," said Miss
Staples.

Still the slight figure hesitated.

Poor Dorothy, how she longed to fling herself in Jessie's arms and cry
out:

"Oh, Jessie, Jessie! don't you know me? I am Dorothy--your poor little
friend Dorothy whom you used to love so dearly in the old days."

Still she dared not; no, she dared not betray her identity. And with one
lingering glance she turned and slowly left the library, holding,
tightly clutched in her hand, one of the volumes from the great
book-case.

She had caught up the first one which she laid her hand on.

"You have been gone some time, Mrs. Brown," said Mrs. Garner, fretfully,
as she entered the _boudoir_. "Let me see your selection. What book have
you brought me? Why, as I live, it