eeze
about these shock-absorbers is not to----"

There was a horrified cry from Daphne and a shriek of laughter from
Adele and Jill.

"I implore you," said my sister, "to put that thing away."

"What thing?" said her husband, applying the nozzle to his lips.

"That cushion thing. How could you----"

"What! Scrap my blow-me-tight?" said Berry. "Darling, you rave.
You're going to spend the next four hours afloat upon your beautiful
toes, with a large spade-shaped hand supporting the small of your back.
I'm not. I'm going to maintain a sitting posture, with one of the
'nests for rest' provided by a malignant Casino directly intervening
between the base of my trunk and the floor. Now, I know that
intervention. It's of the harsh, unyielding type. Hence this
air-pocket."

With that, he stepped on to the floor, raised the air-cushion as if it
were an instrument of music, and, adopting the attitude and manners of
a cornet soloist, exhaled into the nozzle with all his might.

There was a roar of laughter.

Then, mercifully, the band started, and the embarrassing attention of
about sixty pairs of eyes was diverted accordingly.

A moment later my brother-in-law and I had the table to ourselves.

"And now," said Berry, "forward with that bauble. The Rump Parliament
is off."

Perhaps, because it was a warm evening, the Casino's furnaces were in
full blast. After a while the heat became oppressive. Presently I
left Berry to the champagne and went for a stroll in the Palmarium.

As I was completing my second lap--

"Captain Pleydell," said a dignified voice.

I turned to see Mrs. Waterbrook, leaning upon a stick, accompanied by a
remarkably pretty young lady with her hair down her back.

I came to them swiftly.

"Have you met with an accident?" I inquired.

"I have. I've ricked my ankle. Susan, this is Captain Pleydell, whose
cousin is going to marry Piers. Captain Pleydell, this is Susan--my
only niece. Now I'm going to sit down." I escorted her to a chair.
"That's better. Captain Pleydell, have you seen the Chateau?"

"Often," said I. "A large grey building with a red keep, close to the
scent-shop."

"One to you," said Mrs. Waterbrook. "Now I'll begin again. Captain
Pleydell, have you seen the inside of the Chateau?"

"I have not."

"Then you ought," said Mrs. Waterbrook, "to be ashamed of yourself.
You've been six months in Pau, and you've never taken the trouble to go
and look at one