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The Seclusion of the Old Lady suspicion of a very grave smile. His head was slightly bent with a restrained bow. It was he who had acknowledged the lady's obeisance. And it was he, beyond any shadow of reasonable doubt, to whom it had really been directed.

"So I hear," he said, in a kindly yet somehow formal voice—"I hear, madam, that my friends have been trying to rescue you—but without success."

"No one, naturally, knows my faults better than you," answered the lady, with a high color. "But you have not found me guilty of treachery."

"I willingly attest it, madam," replied Basil, in the same level tones; "and the fact is that I am so much gratified with your exhibition of loyalty that I permit myself the pleasure of exercising some very large discretionary powers. You would not leave this room at the request of these gentlemen. But you know that you can safely leave it at mine."

The captive made another reverence. "I have never complained of your injustice, 261