"--said Mrs. Brooks with a certain youthful
vivacity, but still gazing at the stranger's handsome features as she
slowly retreated. "Not for worlds!"

Herbert was relieved; she was actually blushing.

"You see, it was quite unpremeditated, I assure you. We came in
together," whispered Herbert, leading her to the door, "and I"--

"Don't believe a word of it, madam," said a lazy voice from the bed, as
the stranger leisurely raised himself upright, putting the last
finishing touch to his cravat as he shook himself neat again. "I'm an
utter stranger to him, and he knows it. He found me here, biding from
the Vigilantes, who were chasing me on the hill. I got in at that
door, which happened to be unlocked. He let me stay because he was a
gentleman--and--I wasn't. I beg your pardon, madam, for having
interrupted him before you; but it was a little rough to have him lie
on MY account when he wasn't the kind of man to lie on his OWN. You'll
forgive him--won't you, please?--and, as I'm taking myself off now,
perhaps you'll overlook MY intrusion too."

It was impossible to convey the lazy frankness of this speech, the
charming smile with which it was accompanied, or the easy yet
deferential manner with which, taking up his hat, he bowed to Mrs.
Brooks as he advanced toward the door.

"But," said Mrs. Brooks, hurriedly glancing from Herbert to the
stranger, "it must be the Vigilantes who are now hanging about the
street. Ellen saw them from her window, and thought they were YOUR
friends, Mr. Bly. This gentleman--your friend"--she had become a
little confused in her novel excitement--"really ought not to go out
now. It would be madness."

"If you wouldn't mind his remaining a little longer, it certainly would
be safer," said Herbert, with wondering gratitude.

"I certainly shouldn't consent to his leaving my house now," said Mrs.
Brooks with dignity; "and if you wouldn't mind calling Cherry here, Mr.
Bly--she's in the dining-room--and then showing yourself for a moment
in the street and finding out what they wanted, it would be the best
thing to do."

Herbert flew downstairs; in a few hurried words he gave the same
explanation to the astounded Cherry that he had given to her mother,
with the mischievous addition that Mrs. Brooks's unjust suspicions had
precipitated her into becoming an amicable accomplice, and then ran out
into the street. Here he ascertained from one of the Vigilantes, whom
he knew, that they w