ou've given me," she demanded, fully awakened now. "Go right straight
away or I'll put you out."

"Don't be a fool, Tallie," said Madame von Marwitz, who, in a silken
dressing-gown and with her hair unbound, had an appearance at once
childish and damaged. "Where is Karen? I've been to her room and she is
not there. The door downstairs is unbolted. Is she gone out to walk so
early?"

Mrs. Talcott sat still and upright in her bed. "What time is it?" she
asked.

"It is seven. I have been awake since dawn. Do you imagine that I have
had a pleasant night?"

Mrs. Talcott did not answer this query. She sprang out of bed.

"Perhaps she's gone to meet the bus at the cross-roads. But I told her I
was going to take her. Tell Burton to come round with the car as quick
as he can. I'll go after her and see that she's all right. Why, the
child hasn't got any money," Mrs. Talcott muttered, deftly drawing on
her clothes beneath her nightgown which she held by the edge of the neck
between her teeth.

Madame von Marwitz listened to her impeded utterance frowning.

"The bus? What do you mean? Why is she meeting the bus?"

"To take her to London where she's going to the Lippheims," said Mrs.
Talcott, casting aside the nightgown and revealing herself in chemise
and petticoat. "You go and order that car, Mercedes," she added, as she
buckled together her sturdy, widely-waisted stays. "This ain't no time
for talk."

Madame von Marwitz looked at her for another moment and then rang the
bell. She put her head outside the door to await the housemaid and, as
this person made some delay, shouted in a loud voice: "Handcock! Jane!
Louise! Where are you? _Faineantes!_" she stamped her foot, and, as the
housemaid appeared, running; "Burton," she commanded. "The car. At once.
And tell Louise to bring me my tea-gown, my shoes and stockings, my fur
cloak, at once; but at once; make haste!"

"What are you up to, Mercedes?" Mrs. Talcott inquired, as Madame von
Marwitz thrust her aside from the dressing-table and began to wind up
her hair before the mirror.

"I am getting ready to go with you, _parbleu_!" Madame von Marwitz
replied. "Is that you, Louise? Come in. You have the things? Put on my
shoes and stockings; quickly; _mais depechez-vous donc_! The
tea-gown--yes, over this--over it I say! So. Now bring me a motor-veil
and gloves. I shall do thus."

Mrs. Talcott, while Louise with an air of profoundest gloom arrayed her
mistress, kept sile