They walked away from the water, and gained the broad path leading to the gates. Alexia slackened her pace, and, releasing Floss's hand, but still retaining Maggie's, fell slightly behind, sauntering slowly, playing with the buttons of her cloak, keeping her eyes fixed straight before her. They were passing a seat close to the edge of the path, upon which a man was sitting--a middle-aged, loose-jointed man with gray hair. A bright object lay at his feet--a small ball of gorgeous tints; the child saw it, uttered a delighted cry, and struggled to release her hand. It was released and she started to pick up the prize. It was hardly in her grasp when she screamed out, frightened, for the man with the gray hair had taken hold of her arm, and was speaking to her, not roughly, although his voice was harsh and stern. "My little one--see, the lady has dropped this paper. Give it to her; and as for this bauble, take it. Go!" He released her. The child was scared, but she held in one hand the paper he had given to her, in the other the gay-colored ball. He pointed peremptorily after the tall retreating figure of Alexia Boucheafen, and, frightened at his frowning face, the child darted toward "Ma'm'selle." "Ma'm'selle, Ma'm'selle!" She tugged at the governess's dress, at her hand. "'Ook what he dave me!"--holding up the ball. "Nice, nice man, vewy nice! Floss s'an't have it, he s'ant--Floss a geedy boy. He dived it me for meself. Oh, an' yes!" With a sudden remembrance of something less absorbing than the ball, she held up the paper--a mere folded scrap. Alexia seized it eagerly, held it fast in her hands, asked almost inaudibly: "Who gave it to you, child?" "Him did. You droppened it. Him," said the child, turning round to point. Then she cried out blankly, "Oh, him's gone!" Miss Boucheafen glanced behind her hastily. The seat by which the gay-colored ball had lain was empty. She opened the paper, and read within it, written in a blood-red color, the one word "Absolved!" * * * * * Doctor Brudenell found his nephews and niece unusually excited and talkative when, as was his custom, he came up after his dinner to see them in Miss Boucheafen's pleasant sitting-room. The rides in the tram-cars, the park, the buns, and the ducks were enlarged upon in turn; and then Maggie produced her ball, and plunged onto such broken and lavish praises of the "vewy nice man" that the Doctor looked at the governess for enlightenment. "A gentleman in the park, sir, gave her the ball," explained Miss Boucheafen gravely. "And zou a letter!" cried Maggie. "And also returned me a paper that I had dropped," amended Alexia. "I see. Well, don't smash more windows with the ball than you can help," said the Doctor, putting his niece down upon her feet.