ssian spy was very dirty, and that she wore a
nightcap, but he liked her the better on that account. A female Russian
spy should, he felt, differ much in her attire from other women. If
possible, she should be arrayed in diamonds, and pearl ear-drops, with
as little else upon her as might be; but failing that costume, which
might be regarded as the appropriate evening spy costume, a tumbled
nightcap, and a dirty, white wrapper, old cloth slippers, and
objectionable stockings, were just what they should be.

"Ah!" said the lady, "you are Captain Clavering. Yes, I remember."

"I am Captain Clavering. I had the honor of meeting you at Lady
Ongar's."

"And now you wish to consult me on an affair of great importance. Very
well. You may consult me. Will you sit down--there." And Madam Gordeloup
indicated to him a chair just opposite to herself, and far removed from
that convenient spot which Archie had prepared for the smoothing of the
bank-notes. Near to the place now assigned to him there was no table
whatever, and he felt that he would in that position be so completely
raked by the fire of her keen eyes, that he would not be able to carry
on his battle upon good terms. In spite, therefore, of the lady's very
plain instructions, he made an attempt to take possession of the chair
which he had himself placed; but it was an ineffectual attempt, for the
spy was very peremptory with him. "There, Captain Clavering; there;
there; you will be best there." Then he did as he was bid, and seated
himself; as it were, quite out at sea, with nothing but an ocean of
carpet around him, and with no possibility of manipulating his notes
except under the raking fire of those terribly sharp eyes. "And now,"
said Madam Gordeloup, "you can commence to consult me. What is the
business?"

Ah; what was the business? That was now the difficulty? In discussing
the proper way of tendering the bank-notes, I fear the two captains had
forgotten the nicest point of the whole negotiation. How was he to tell
her what it was that he wanted to do himself, and what that she was to
be required to do for him? It behooved him above all things not to be
awkward! That he remembered. But how not to be awkward? "Well!" she
said; and there was something almost of crossness in her tone. Her time,
no doubt, was valuable. The French ambassador might even now be coming.
"Well?"

"I think, Madam Gordeloup, you know my brother's sister-in-law, Lady
Ongar?"

"What, J