of me. Let's talk of something pleasant. Would you care to do
a little sight-seeing in Clermont-Ferrand, if your shopping doesn't take
us too long?"

I assured him that it would not take ten minutes; and it didn't take
more. I saved a franc on the transaction, too, which would console her
ladyship if I got back a few minutes late; and with that thought in my
mind, I abandoned myself to the joy of the expedition. We went to the
Petrifying Fountain, and inspected its strange menagerie of stone
animals; we made a dash into the Cathedral where St. Louis was married,
and looked at the beautiful thirteenth-century glass in the windows, and
the strange frescoes; we rushed in and out of Notre Dame du Port,
stopping on the way in the _Place_ where the first Crusade was
proclaimed, and to gaze at the house and statue of Pascal. Jack would
squander some of his extremely hard earned money on a box of the burnt
almonds for which Clermont-Ferrand is celebrated; and when we had seen
everything I dared stop to see, he ran the car to Montferrand, to show
me some ancient and wonderful houses, famous all over France. Eventually
he threatened to spin me out to Royat, but I pleaded the certainty that
Lady Turnour would wish to change into her smartest tea-gown for "feef
oclocky" and that I must be there to assist at the ceremony.

So we turned castleward, with all the speed the law allows, if not a
little more; and I arrived with a pair of red stockings, cheap
high-heeled slippers, a franc in change, and a queer presentiment of
dangerous things to happen.

CHAPTER XXVIII

Although a good many neighbours were coming to the Chateau de
Roquemartine to look on at the servants' ball, they were all to drive or
motor over in their ordinary dinner dress; it was only the servants
themselves who were to "make toilettes."

Lady Turnour, however, who regretted having missed the smart ball for
the great world, given a few nights before, determined that people
should be forced to appreciate her wealth and position; and the wardrobe
of Solomon in all his glory could hardly have produced anything to
exceed her gold tissue, diamante.

When I had squeezed, and poked, and pushed her into it, and was
bejewelling her, Sir Samuel came, as usual, to have his white cravat
tied by me. Bertie, too, appeared, dressed for dinner, and watched me
with silent amusement as I performed my evening duty for his stepfather.

"Pretty gorgeous, aren't you?" he