morally, every
minute. The confession of Musa had filled her with a good notion of
herself. The impulsive flattery of Madame Piriac in the joint cabin, and
now the sincere, grave homage of Mr. Gilman, caused her to brim over with
consciousness that she was at last somebody.

An automobile hooted on the quay, and at the disturbing sound Madame Piriac
ceased to play and swung round on the stool.

"That--that must be our other lady guest," said Mr. Gilman, who had
developed nervousness; his cheeks flushed darkly.

"Ah?" cautiously smiled Madame Piriac, who was plainly taken aback.

"Yes," said Mr. Gilman. "Miss Thompkins. Before I knew for certain that
Mrs. Moncreiff could come with you, Hortense, I asked Miss Thompkins if she
would care to come. I only got her answer this morning--it was delayed. I
meant to tell you.... You are a friend of Miss Thompkins, aren't you?" He
turned to Audrey.

Audrey replied gaily that she knew Tommy very well.

"I'd better go up," said Mr. Gilman, and he departed, and his back, though
a nervous back, seemed to be defying Madame Piriac and Audrey to question
in the slightest degree his absolute right to choose his own guests on his
own yacht.

"Strange man!" muttered Madame Piriac. It was a confidence to Audrey, who
eagerly accepted it as such. "Imagine him inviting Mees Thompkins without
a word to us, without a word! But, you know, my dear uncle was always
bizarre, mysterious. Yet--is he mysterious, or is he ingenuous?"

"But how did he come to know Miss Thompkins?" Audrey demanded.

"Ah! You have not heard that? Miss Thompkins gave a--a musical tea in her
studio, to celebrate these concerts which are to occur. Musa asked the Foas
to come. They consented. It was understood they should bring friends. Thus
I went also, and Monsieur Gilman being at my orders that afternoon, he went
too. Never have I seen so strange a multitude! But it was amusing. And all
Paris has begun to talk of Musa. Miss Thompkins and my uncle became friends
on the instant. I assume that it was her eyes. Also those Americans have
vivacity, if not always distinction. Do you not think so?"

"Oh, yes! And do you mean to say that on the strength of that he asked her
to go yachting?"

"Well, he had called several times."

"Aren't you surprised she accepted?" asked Audrey.

"No," said Madame Piriac. "It is another code, that is all. It is a
surprise, but she will be amusing."

"I'm sure she will," Audrey concurr