Judge Trent, all unsuspicious, was sitting in his study. He had slipped on the dressing-gown with the indistinguishable pattern, and the rusty slippers that his soul loved. His silk hat formed a shadow for his eyes, and his big table was covered with a riot of books and papers. At the moment chosen by his visitors for their entrance, the down-trodden heels were also resting on the table as the judge leaned back luxuriously in his desk chair and read the Boston papers. Miss Lacey declined to allow Hannah to announce their visit. "He might get out some back way," she declared to Dunham in a nervous undertone. She had outraged the proprieties by coming, as she read in the disapproving puckers around the old housekeeper's mouth. She was not going now to have the name without the game. The library door opened. Judge Trent looked up vaguely, then frowningly, then brought down his feet with a start. "Good-evening," said Dunham; "we have come back." Unexpected as was the sight of Miss Lacey in his sanctum, Judge Trent's astonishment was merged in the apprehension of what might be beyond. He looked over her shoulder with startled eyes as he arose. Miss Martha understood. "No, indeed," she exclaimed, "she isn't here." The host breathed a sigh of relief, and his sharp eyes began to question Dunham while he collected himself sufficiently to bring forward a chair for the lady. "You honor me, Mar--Miss Lacey," he said. "Thank you--Judge Trent," she returned, and giving his figure a comprehensive glance from top to toe, she touched her bonnet significantly as she sat down. He did not observe the gesture. "Well," he said, resuming his seat and waving Dunham to another, "so you have come to tell me of your success. Very kind of you." The speaker's endeavor to be courteous was offset by an impatient drumming of his fingers on the desk and the drawing together of his brows. Martha ignored the signs. Let him drum. Let him scowl. "No," she returned impressively, "we have come to tell you of our failure." Her manner was trying. It irritated her host still further. "How so?" he demanded. She measured him with a severe gaze. "Calvin, you are wearing your hat," she announced frigidly. "Eh? Oh! Pardon me." With hasty discomfiture the lawyer deposited his boon companion on the table. "Oh! not in all that dust!" implored Miss Lacey. He blew the vicinity vaguely. "Hannah doesn't do her duty by you!" she continued. "Thank heaven, no," responded the judge devoutly. Dunham was choking as quietly as possible by the mantelpiece, where he had remained standing despite his host's invitation. "Say on, Mar--Miss Lacey," said the lawyer. "Do you mean you didn't find the girl? Make it short, please. Come to the point." Miss Lacey's spirit arose. A human soul was involved, and no man, be he lawyer or lover, should browbeat or persuade her.