veiled in firm immobility and was
so appealing that I had an insane impulse to walk round and kiss the
forearm on which it was leaning; that strong, well-shaped forearm,
gleaming not like marble but with a living and warm splendour. So
familiar had I become already with her in my thoughts! Of course I
didn't do anything of the sort. It was nothing uncontrollable, it was
but a tender longing of a most respectful and purely sentimental kind. I
performed the act in my thought quietly, almost solemnly, while the
creature with the silver hair leaned back in his chair, puffing at his
cigar, and began to speak again.

It was all apparently very innocent talk. He informed his "dear Rita"
that he was really on his way to Monte Carlo. A lifelong habit of his at
this time of the year; but he was ready to run back to Paris if he could
do anything for his "_chere enfant_," run back for a day, for two days,
for three days, for any time; miss Monte Carlo this year altogether, if
he could be of the slightest use and save her going herself. For
instance he could see to it that proper watch was kept over the Pavilion
stuffed with all these art treasures. What was going to happen to all
those things? . . . Making herself heard for the first time Dona Rita
murmured without moving that she had made arrangements with the police to
have it properly watched. And I was enchanted by the almost
imperceptible play of her lips.

But the anxious creature was not reassured. He pointed out that things
had been stolen out of the Louvre, which was, he dared say, even better
watched. And there was that marvellous cabinet on the landing, black
lacquer with silver herons, which alone would repay a couple of burglars.
A wheelbarrow, some old sacking, and they could trundle it off under
people's noses.

"Have you thought it all out?" she asked in a cold whisper, while we
three sat smoking to give ourselves a countenance (it was certainly no
enjoyment) and wondering what we would hear next.

No, he had not. But he confessed that for years and years he had been in
love with that cabinet. And anyhow what was going to happen to the
things? The world was greatly exercised by that problem. He turned
slightly his beautifully groomed white head so as to address Mr. Blunt
directly.

"I had the pleasure of meeting your mother lately."

Mr. Blunt took his time to raise his eyebrows and flash his teeth at him
before he dropped negligently, "I can'