"'You have nothing more to say, sir, and will leave me now, I hope.' Then she murmured softly, 'Good news? Oh, if I dared to hope it!'
"'I will leave you this instant,' said our reporter, and was about to do so when Constance's eyes fell upon the purse, and the key, and the handkerchief which he had deposited on the table.
"'A moment, sir, I beg,' she said. 'How came these here? They are my mother's.'
"'Yes, she gave them to me,' said our reporter, with pardonable duplicity, 'to hand them to you, in order that you might be satisfied I came from her, and that I am here only as a messenger.'
"'Yes, I understand that, sir, but how came they here?'
"'I must speak frankly,' said our reporter, smiling. 'After admitting myself into the house by means of the latchkey, I came upstairs and knocked at your door, but could not make myself heard. As I did not wish to arouse other people in the house I took the liberty of trying whether the door was locked. It was not, and I entered. Seeing you asleep I endeavored by some slight sounds to awake you, but did not succeed. Then I placed the articles on the table, and overturning this chair, retreated from the room, to lessen any alarm you might feel at my appearance. It is the truth, believe me.'
"'I do believe you, sir, and I thank you for your consideration, but it's all very strange and distressing to me.'
"'It would be stranger were it not. And now, having fulfilled my mission, I will take my leave.'
"'Only one more question, sir,' said Constance, imploringly. 'My mother is in no danger?'
"'She is not. You will see her to-morrow, and I hope myself to see you again, so that I may be justified in your eyes.'
"'You are justified already, sir, and I beg you to pardon me for my doubts. I must wait till the morning. My mother will come, will she not, in the morning?'
"'Does she not say in her letter that it will not be till the afternoon?'
"'Oh, yes, I forgot, but I am confused and troubled. Will you see her before then?'
"'I must not tell you. Remember the injunction your mother laid upon me. I have no alternative but to respect it.'
"'You are right, sir. Pardon me.' She held out her hand, and our reporter advanced to take it; but she withdrew it before he touched it. Even now her doubts and fears were not dispelled. 'Good-night, sir.'