The succeeding morning, whilst Agnes was diligently employed at her drawing-table, she heard, with a mixture of pleasure and surprise, not wholly unalloyed by apprehension, the well known voice of Adrienne, disputing on the landing place with Madame Dupuis, and half gaily, and half angrily, asserting her right to see mademoiselle without delay. /

‘It does not depend upon me, Adrienne,’ said the good landlady, ‘to procure you admission. She keeps her door locked, and will not open it to any one she does not know.’

‘Et elle ne me connaitrait pas, moi, par example?’ cried the impatient Abigail. ‘Allez, ma chère, vous ne savez ce que vous dites. Je vais frapper à sa porte, et vous verrez si elle me connait!’

Agnes at that moment stepped forth, but whilst kindly holding out one hand to her overjoyed attendant, she placed the fore-finger of the other upon her lips to enjoin circumspection. Madame Dupuis, on observing this signal, immediately retired, and Agnes introduced Adrienne into her humble apartment.

Her first inquiry was, how Lady Glenfeld, who alone knew the place of her concealment, had been induced to permit this incautious visit in the very face of day?

‘Read that, dear mademoiselle,’ answered / Adrienne, presenting to her a letter. ‘But, mon Dieu,’ added she, gazing round her, ‘who would ever have supposed it was for your own habitation you made me hire this poor, shabby bit of a room! What a place for you to live in!’

‘A very good place,’ cried Agnes cheerfully. ‘I never slept better, nor was more easy in mind any where; I won't have it abused.’