her mouth as she recalled
some instances of Barker's delightful and irresistible youthfulness.

There was a clatter of hoofs and the sound of many voices from the
street. Mrs. Horncastle knew it was the down coach changing horses; it
would be off again in a few moments, and, no doubt, bearing her husband
away with it. A new feeling of relief came over her as she at last heard
the warning "All aboard!" and the great vehicle clattered and rolled
into the darkness, trailing its burning lights across her walls and
ceiling. But now she heard steps on the staircase, a pause before her
room, a whisper of voices, the opening of the door, the rustle of a
skirt, and a little feminine cry of protest as a man apparently tried to
follow the figure into the room. "No, no! I tell you NO!" remonstrated
the woman's voice in a hurried whisper. "It won't do. Everybody knows
me here. You must not come in now. You must wait to be announced by the
servant. Hush! Go!"

There was a slight struggle, the sound of a kiss, and the woman
succeeded in finally shutting the door. Then she walked slowly, but with
a certain familiarity towards the mantel, struck a match and lit the
candle. The light shone upon the bright eyes and slightly flushed face
of Mrs. Barker. But the motionless woman in the chair had recognized her
voice and the voice of her companion at once. And then their eyes met.

Mrs. Barker drew back, but did not utter a cry. Mrs. Horncastle, with
eyes even brighter than her companion's, smiled. The red deepened in
Mrs. Barker's cheek.

"This is my room!" she said indignantly, with a sweeping gesture around
the walls.

"I should judge so," said Mrs. Horncastle, following the gesture; "but,"
she added quietly, "they put ME into it. It appears, however, they did
not expect you."

Mrs. Barker saw her mistake. "No, no," she said apologetically, "of
course not." Then she added, with nervous volubility, sitting down and
tugging at her gloves, "You see, I just ran down from Marysville to take
a look at my father's old house on my way to Hymettus. I hope I haven't
disturbed you. Perhaps," she said, with sudden eagerness, "you were
asleep when I came in!"

"No," said Mrs. Horncastle, "I was not sleeping nor dreaming. I heard
you come in."

"Some of these men are such idiots," said Mrs. Barker, with a
half-hysterical laugh. "They seem to think if a woman accepts the least
courtesy from them they've a right to be familiar. But I fancy that