your boarders when you wish.’

 

“Mrs. Charpentier blushed at my pertinent question. ‘Would to God that I had

given him notice on the very day that he came,’ she said. ‘But it was a sore

temptation. They were paying a pound a day each—fourteen pounds a week, and this

is the slack season. I am a widow, and my boy in the Navy has cost me much. I

grudged to lose the money. I acted for the best. This last was too much,

however, and I gave him notice to leave on account of it. That was the reason of

his going.’

 

“‘Well?’

 

“‘My heart grew light when I saw him drive away. My son is on leave just now,

but I did not tell him anything of all this, for his temper is violent, and he

is passionately fond of his sister. When I closed the door behind them a load

seemed to be lifted from my mind. Alas, in less than an hour there was a ring at

the bell, and I learned that Mr.

 

Drebber had returned. He was much excited, and evidently the worse for drink. He

forced his way into the room, where I was sitting with my daughter, and made

some incoherent remark about having missed his train. He then turned to Alice,

and before my very face, proposed to her that she should fly with him. “You are

of age,” he said, “and there is no law to stop you. I have money enough and to

spare. Never mind the old girl here, but come along with me now straight away.

You shall live like a princess.” Poor Alice was so frightened that she shrunk