ent arrives. The form too full of Mrs. Robinson hides me as I escape
from the room. I come to Madame here. Eh bien!" Here Louise broke off
and, glancing round the room, made a gesture that implied unpacking
May's luggage and putting everything back in the proper place. "I unpack
for Madame, immediately, while Madame descends and assures my lady that
she does not forsake her at the supreme moment."

Louise's eyes now seemed to pierce the space in front of her, she defied
contradiction.

"I will go and see Lady Dashwood," said May, calmly. "But don't unpack
yet for me. I shall put her ladyship to bed, Louise. Go and see that
everything is ready, please."

"I go to countermand Madame's taxi," said Louise, astutely.

"You can do that," said May; "I shall wait till the doctor
comes--anyhow. Ask Robinson to telephone at once."

May went down to the breakfast-room, and found Mrs. Robinson's stout
form coming out of the door. Within Lady Dashwood was seated in a chair
by the fire.

"I am perfectly well, May," said Lady Dashwood, lifting up a white face
to her niece as she came up to her. "I have sent Mrs. Robinson away.
That silly old fool, Louise, has made Robinson telephone for a doctor."

"Quite right of her," said May, quietly, "and I shall stop till he has
come and gone."

"You didn't mean to go before lunch?" murmured Lady Dashwood.

"I can go after lunch," said May.

Lady Dashwood leaned her head back in a weak manner.

"Not so convenient to you perhaps, dear," she murmured, but in a voice
that accepted the delay to May's departure. She accepted it and sighed
and stared into the fire, and said not one word about the Warden, but
she said: "I'm not going to bed. The house will be empty enough as it
is;" and May knew she was thinking of the Warden's return.

"You must go to bed," May replied.

"I can't go to bed, child. I shall stay up and look after things," said
Lady Dashwood, and she knew she was speaking with guile. "You forget,
dear, that--the house will be so empty!"

"I shall put you to bed," said May.

"How do you know I shall remain?" said Lady Dashwood. "The doctor will
say that there is nothing wrong." She looked white and obstinate and
clung to her chair.

Then at last May said: "I am going to stay on till the doctor comes.
Like all managing people, you are absolutely irresponsible about
yourself, Aunt Lena. I shall have to stay and make you obey me."

"Oh, I didn't know I was so wicked!" si