"If you will be kind enough to stare less and answer my question," said he, "I will feel obliged; but perhaps you don't understand English." "I beg pardon," said the other, in very good English; "but what was the name of the lady?" "Miss Lorton," said Obed. The waiter looked at him again with the same peculiar glance, and then replied: "I don't know, but I will ask. Wait here a moment." Saying this, he departed, and Obed saw him speaking to some half a dozen persons in the hall very earnestly and hurriedly; then he went off, and in about five minutes returned in company with the master of the hotel. "Were you asking after a lady?" said he, in very fair English, and bowing courteously to Obed. "I was," said Obed, who noticed at the same time that this man was regarding him with the same expression of eager and scrutinizing curiosity which he had seen on the face of the other. "And what was the name?" "Miss Lorton." "Miss Lorton?" repeated the other; "yes, she is here. Will you be kind enough to follow me to the parlor until I see whether she is at home or not, and make her acquainted with your arrival?" At this information, which was communicated with extreme politeness, Obed felt such immense relief that he forgot altogether about the very peculiar manner in which he had been scrutinized. A great weight seemed suddenly to have been lifted off his soul. For the first time in many weeks he began to breathe freely. He thought of the joy which he would bring to that poor young girl who had been thrown so strangely under his protection, and who was so sad. For a moment he hesitated whether to wait any longer or not. His first impulse was to hurry away and bring her here; but then in a moment he thought it would be far better to wait, and to take back Miss Lorton with him in triumph to her sister. The others watched his momentary hesitation with some apparent anxiety; but at length it was dispelled by Obed's reply: "Thank you. I think I had better wait and see her. I hope I won't be detained long." "Oh no. She is doubtless in her room. You will only have to wait a few minutes." Saying this, they led the way to a pleasant apartment looking out on the Strada Toledo, and here Obed took a seat, and lost himself in speculations as to the appearance of the elder Miss Lorton. In about five minutes the door was opened, and the master of the hotel made his appearance again. "I find," said he, politely, "that Miss Lorton is not in. She went out only a few minutes before you came. She left word with her maid, however, that she was going to a shop up the Strada Toledo to buy some jewelry. I am going to send a messenger to hasten her return. Shall I send your name by him?" "Well," said Obed, "I don't know as it's necessary. Better wait till I see her myself." The landlord said nothing, but looked at him with strange earnestness. "By-the-way," said Obed, "how is she?" "She?" "Yes; Miss Lorton." "Oh," said the landlord, "very well."