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are。 I had let it （for at that period I lodged in a hotel；
the life that I have always preferred） to a Colonel
Geraldine； a gentleman attached to Prince Florizel of
Bohemia； whom you must certainly have heard of； and I had
supposed； from the character and position of my tenant； that
here； at least； I was safe against annoyance。 What was my
surprise to find this house also shuttered and apparently
deserted！ I will not deny that I was offended； I conceived
that a house； like a yacht； was better to be kept in
commission； and I promised myself to bring the matter before
my solicitor the following morning。 Meanwhile the sight
recalled my fancy naturally to the past； and yielding to the
tender influence of sentiment； I sat down opposite the door
upon the garden parapet。 It was August； and a sultry
afternoon； but that spot is sheltered； as you may observe by
daylight； under the branches of a spreading chestnut； the
square； too； was deserted； there was a sound of distant music
in the air； and all combined to plunge me into that most
agreeable of states； which is neither happiness nor sorrow；
but shares the poignancy of both。
From this I was recalled by the arrival of a large van； very
handsomely appointed； drawn by valuable horses； mounted by
several men of an appearance more than decent； and bearing on
its panels； instead of a trader's name； a coat…of…arms too
modest to be deciphered from where I sat。 It drew up before
my house； the door of which was immediately opened by one of
the men。 His companions … I counted seven of them in all …
proceeded； with disciplined activity； to take from the van
and carry into the house a variety of hampers； bottle…
baskets； and boxes； such as are designed for plate and
napery。 The windows of the dining…room were thrown widely
open； as though to air it； and I saw some of those within
laying the table for a meal。 Plainly； I concluded； my tenant
was about to return； and while still determined to submit to
no aggression on my rights； I was gratified by the number and
discipline of his attendants； and the quiet profusion that
appeared to reign in his establishment。 I was still so
thinking when； to my extreme surprise； the windows and
shutters of the dining…room were once more closed； the men
began to reappear from the interior and resume their stations
on the van； the last closed the door behind his exit； the van
drove away； and the house was once more left to itself；
looking blindly on the square with shuttered windows； as
though the whole affair had been a vision。
It was no vision； however； for； as I rose to my feet； and
thus brought my eyes a little nearer to the level of the
fanlight over the door； I saw that； though the day had still
some hours to run； the hall lamps had been lighted and left
burning。 Plainly； then； guests were expected； and were not
expected before night。 For whom； I asked myself with
indignation； were such secret preparations likely to be made？
Although no prude； I am a woman of decided views upon
morality； if my house； to which my husband had brought me；
was 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 lamplit 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 lamplight； 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
descended the stair。 Just when his head had reached the
level of the pavement； he turned half round and once more
raked the square with a suspicious eyeshot。 The mufflings
had fallen lower round his neck； the moon shone full upon
him； and I was startled to observe the pallor and passionate
agitation of his face。
I could remain no longer passive。 Persuaded that something
deadly was afoot； I crossed the roadway and drew near the
area railings。 There was no one below； the man must
therefore have entered the house； with what purpose I dreaded
to imagine。 I have at no part of my career lacked courage；
and now； finding the area gate was merely laid to； I pushed
it gently open and descended the stairs。 The kitchen door of
the house； like the area gate； was closed but not fastened。
It flashed upon me that the criminal was thus preparing his
escape； and the thought； as it confirmed the worst of my
suspicions； lent me new resolve。 I entered the house； and
being now quite reckless of my life； I shut and locked the
door。
From the dining…room above I could hear the pleasant tones of
a voice in easy conversation。 On the ground floor all was
not only profoundly silent； but the darkness seemed to weigh
upon my eyes。 Here； then； I stood for some time； having
thrust myself uncalled into the utmost peril； and being
destitute of any power to help or interfere。 Nor will I deny
that fear had begun already to assail me； when I became
aware； all at once and as though by