to serve in the character of a
_petite maison_, I saw myself forced, however unwillingly, into a new
course of litigation; and, determined to return and know the worst, I
hastened to my hotel for dinner.

I was at my post by ten. The night was clear and quiet; the moon rode
very high and put the lamps to shame; and the shadow below the chestnut
was black as ink. Here, then, I ensconced myself on the low parapet,
with my back against the railings, face to face with the moonlit front
of my old home, and ruminating gently on the past. Time fled; eleven
struck on all the city clocks; and presently after I was aware of the
approach of a gentleman of stately and agreeable demeanour. He was
smoking as he walked; his light paletot, which was open, did not conceal
his evening clothes; and he bore himself with a serious grace that
immediately awakened my attention. Before the door of this house he took
a pass-key from his pocket, quietly admitted himself, and disappeared
into the lamp-lit hall.

He was scarcely gone when I observed another and a much younger man
approaching hastily from the opposite side of the square. Considering
the season of the year and the genial mildness of the night, he was
somewhat closely muffled up; and as he came, for all his hurry, he kept
looking nervously behind him. Arrived before my door, he halted and set
one foot upon the step, as though about to enter; then, with a sudden
change, he turned and began to hurry away; halted a second time, as if
in painful indecision; and lastly, with a violent gesture, wheeled
about, returned straight to the door, and rapped upon the knocker. He
was almost immediately admitted by the first arrival.

My curiosity was now broad awake. I made myself as small as I could in
the very densest of the shadow, and waited for the sequel. Nor had I
long to wait. From the same side of the square a second young man made
his appearance, walking slowly and softly, and like the first, muffled
to the nose. Before the house he paused; looked all about him with a
swift and comprehensive glance; and seeing the square lie empty in the
moon and lamp-light, leaned far across the area railings and appeared to
listen to what was passing in the house. From the dining-room there came
the report of a champagne cork, and following upon that, the sound of
rich and manly laughter. The listener took heart of grace, produced a
key, unlocked the area gate, shut it noiselessly behind him, and
de