me the day after
to-morrow."

After supper Mr. Mitchel took the two girls and their mother to the
theatre, much to the delight of the latter, who was always shocked
whenever Emily went unattended by a _chaperone_. The party walked going
and coming, and as Dora and her mother were ahead, Mr. Mitchel had ample
opportunity to explain to his _fiancee_ the favor which he wished her to
do for him. When leaving the house that night he said:

"You will not see me again for a couple of days. Keep well till then."

Lucette, who had overheard this remark, was, therefore, rather
astonished to see Mr. Mitchel walk in the next morning as early as ten
o'clock. She was still more surprised to have her mistress announce that
she was going out. What puzzled her most of all was that Emily went out
alone, leaving Mr. Mitchel in the parlor. In fact this seemed to give
her so much food for reflection, that as though struck by the
conclusions arrived at, she herself prepared to go out. As she was
passing along the hall, however, the parlor door opened and Mr. Mitchel
confronted her.

"Where are you going, Lucette?"

"I have an errand to do, sir," she replied with a slight tremor.

"Come into the parlor, first. I wish to speak to you." She felt
compelled to obey, and walked into the room, Mr. Mitchel opening the
door and waiting for her to pass through. He then followed, after
closing the door behind him, locking it and taking the key from the
lock.

"Why did you do that?" asked Lucette angrily.

"You forget yourself, Lucette. You are a servant, and good servants
such as you have proven that you know how to be, never ask questions.
However, I will answer you. I locked the door because I do not wish you
to get out of this room."

"I won't be locked in here with you. I am a respectable girl."

"No one doubts it. You need not get excited, I am not going to hurt you
in any way."

"Then why have you brought me in here?"

"Simply to keep you here till--well, say till twelve o'clock. That is
about two hours. Do you mind?"

"Yes, I do mind. I won't be kept in here alone with you for two hours."

"You amuse me. How will you prevent it?"

Lucette bit her lip, but said nothing. She saw that there was no help
for her. She might scream, of course, but Mrs. Remsen and Dora had gone
out before Emily. She and Mr. Mitchel were alone in the apartment. She
might attract the attention of the janitor, or of people in the street.
As this idea o