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to you?
Oh, yes, she said, passing her hand over her eyes. It makes
all go round in my head. One day you will take me for a drive
through these wonderful streets. Now I am too tired. They make
my head ache.
Then she shut her eyes again and did not open them until we
stopped at Lingfield Terrace. I modified my first impression of
her animal unimpressionability. She is quite sane. If Boadicea
were to be brought back to life and be set down suddenly at
Charing Cross, her psychological condition would not be far
removed from that of an idiot. Yet in her own environment
Boadicea was quite a sane and capable lady.
My admirable man Stenson opened the door and admitted us without
moving a muscle. He would betray no incorrect astonishment if I
brought home a hippogriff to dinner. I have an admiration for
the trained servingman's imperturbability. It is the guardian
angel of his selfrespect. I ordered him to send Antoinette to
me in the drawingroom.
Antoinette, said I, this young lady has travelled all the way
from Asia Minor, where the good St. Paul had so many adventures,
without changing her things.
_C'est y Dieu possible_! said Antoinette.
Give her a nice hot bath, and perhaps you will have the kindness
to lend her the underlinen that your sex is in the habit of
wearing. You will put her into the spare bedroom, as she is
going to pass the night here, and you will look generally after
her comfort.
_Bien, M'sieu_, said Antoinette, regarding Carlotta in
stupefaction.
And put that hat and dress into the dustbin.
_Bien, M'sieu._
And as Mademoiselle is broken with fatigue, having come without
stopping from Asia Minor, she will go to bed as soon as
possible.
The poor angel, said Antoinette. But will she not join
Monsieur at dinner?
I think not, said I, dryly.
But the young ducklings that are roasting for the dinner of
Monsieur?
If they were not roasting they might be growing up into ducks,
said I.
Oh, la, la! murmured Antoinette, below her breath.
Carlotta, said I, turning to the girl who had seated herself
humbly on a straightbacked chair, you will go with Antoinette
and do as she tells you. She doesn't talk English, but she is
used to making people understand her.
_Mais, moi parley Francais un peu_, said Carlotta.
Then you will win Antoinette's heart, and she will lend you her
finest. Goodnight, said I, abruptly. I hope you will have a
pleasant rest.
She took my outstretched hand, and, to my great embarrassment,
raised it to her lips. Antoinette looked on, with a sentimental

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