Chapter X

           Inthemeantime,Mrs.Ferrariheldtoherresolution.ShewentstraightfromMr.Troy’sofficetoNewbury’sHotel.

           LadyMontbarrywasathome,andalone.Buttheauthoritiesofthehotelhesitatedtodisturbherwhentheyfoundthatthevisitordeclinedtomentionhername.Herladyship’snewmaidhappenedtocrossthehallwhilethematterwasstillindebate.ShewasaFrenchwoman,and,onbeingappealedto,shesettledthequestionintheswift,easy,rationalFrenchway.’Madame’sappearancewasperfectlyrespectable.MadamemighthavereasonsfornotmentioninghernamewhichMiladimightapprove.Inanycase,therebeingnoordersforbiddingtheintroductionofastrangelady,thematterclearlyrestedbetweenMadameandMiladi.WouldMadame,therefore,begoodenoughtofollowMiladi’smaidupthestairs?’

           Inspiteofherresolution,Mrs.Ferrari’sheartbeatasifitwouldburstoutofherbosom,whenherconductressledherintoanante-room,andknockedatadooropeningintoaroombeyond.Butitisremarkablethatpersonsofsensitively-nervousorganisationaretheverypersonswhoarecapableofforcingthemselves(apparentlybytheexerciseofaspasmodiceffortofwill)intotheperformanceofactsofthemostaudaciouscourage.Alow,gravevoicefromtheinnerroomsaid,’Comein.’Themaid,openingthedoor,announced,’Apersontoseeyou,Miladi,onbusiness,’andimmediatelyretired.Intheoneinstantwhiletheseeventspassed,timidlittleMrs.