o continue arguing in different languages, so
if you would not mind--"

When they were both in the _fiacre_ she did not speak, but leaned back,
her hands in her lap, her feet crossed, looking straight in front of
her with hazel-green eyes, expressionless as those of the Sphinx.
Count Poleski congratulated himself in silence over his discovery.
Here was a woman so unique that she asked no questions, did not
volunteer after the manner of most women a flood of voluble
information, apparently took everything for granted, and was in no way
embarrassed by himself or his company.

In some respects she appeared a young girl, but her composure was
certainly not youthful.

"So you're out from England," he said at last.

"From Paris," she answered him serenely. "I'm Arithelli of the
Hippodrome." There was a girlish pride in her accents, and she looked
at him sideways to observe the effect of her announcement.

"_Ma foi_! So it's that, is it? Then I've heard something about you.
I know the Manager pretty well. He said you were _un peu bizarre_."

"_Peut etre plus qu'un peu_," Arithelli retorted quickly. "I see you
think he's right."

Arrived at the lodgings she sat still, waiting in the cab with the same
apparent indifference while Emile wrangled with the landlady. At
length he came back to her: "You had better try these for a week," he
said. "They're forty _pesetas_. She will want the rent in advance as
you have no recommendation." For the first time Arithelli seemed
disturbed.

"I'm afraid I can't pay it. I'm to have five pounds a week at the
Hippodrome, but of course I can't ask for that in advance. I had a
second-class ticket out here, and now I've only got four-and-sixpence
left."

She held out a small blue satin bag, displaying a few coins. "Perhaps
I'd better go and explain to the Manager." Emile shrugged his
shoulders. Obviously the girl was very young.

"On the whole I think you'd better not," he said. "You know nothing
about either myself or the Manager, and it seems you've got to trust
one of us so it may as well be me."

When he had arranged matters he departed, saying casually, "I'll come
in again to-night about nine o'clock to see how you are getting on.
Don't do anything insane, such as wandering about the streets, because
you feel dull. It won't hurt you to put up with the dulness for a bit.
You'll have plenty of excitement if you're going to live in Barcelona."

"_Tiens_!" said Arit