n hair, on his
pleasant, clever face, with keen profile, well defined against
a shadowy background. Madelon sat watching him as though
fascinated; there was something in the absorbed attention he
was giving to his writing, which subdued and attracted her far
more than any words he could have spoken to her, or notice he
could have taken of her just then. He had apparently forgotten
her, this kind Monsieur le Docteur, who had evidently more
important things to think about than her and her pettish
little speeches; or she had perhaps made him angry, and he
would not take any more notice of her at all? There was a
certain amount of probability in this last idea to the self-
convicted little Madelon, that urged her to some sort of
action; she sat still for a few moments longer, then got up
and stole softly across the room to where Graham was sitting.

"I did not mean to be cross, Monsieur," she said, in her
little trembling voice, standing with her hands clasped behind
her back, and tears in her eyes. Perhaps Graham _had_ forgotten
her for the moment, for he gave a little start as he looked
round.

"I am sure you did not," he said quite earnestly, as he laid
down his pen, "but you are so tired to-night, and unhappy too;
are you not?"

"Ah, yes," she answered, with a little sob, "I am very
unhappy!"

He put his arm round her, as she stood beside him, and took
one of her little hands in his; he was so sorry for the poor
little girl, and yet he hardly knew what to say to console
her. She gave two or three more little sobs, rubbing her eyes
with her other hand to keep back the tears; presently she
looked up into his face, and said:

"Do you really think I had better go to bed?"

"Indeed I do," replied Horace, much relieved by the practical
turn her thoughts were taking; "I am really afraid you will be
ill to-morrow if you do not, and you know I must take care of
you now."

"I thought papa was all alone in here, and I was alone too,"
said Madelon, "it was so dark and lonely in my room."

"Well," said Horace, "I am going to stay in here for a little
while, and presently I will open your door, and then it will
be almost as if you were in the same room; won't that do?"

"Yes, thank you," said Madelon, who indeed was so tired that
she could hardly speak. Graham lighted a candle for her, and
opened the door leading into the inner room; she paused a
moment as she took the light; and gazed up into the kind face
looking d