st in it all. By degrees Susan almost
forgot poor Maria in the pleasure of this new and agreeable
acquaintance.

It was now between one and two o'clock, and Monsieur produced from under
the seat a long narrow black bag, and unlocked it In it Susan could not
help seeing there were a roll of manuscript, one or two books, a pair of
slippers, and a flat white paper parcel. This last being opened,
disclosed a hard round biscuit with seeds in it.

"Voyons!" he said gaily, "let us dine, ma petite demoiselle."

Now Susan was hungry, for it was past dinnertime, and she had
breakfasted early. She knew that Maria had brought sandwiches and buns
with her, but in her hasty retreat she had taken the bag, and had
evidently forgotten all about it. She looked hesitatingly at the
biscuit which her companion had broken in halves, and was now holding on
the paper in front of her. It was the French gentleman's only biscuit--
ought she to take it?

He guessed what was passing in her mind, and smiled kindly at her,
nodding his head.

"If you will eat with me I shall have better appetite," he said. "It is
perhaps a little dry--but after all, if one is hungry!--"

He shrugged his shoulders without finishing the sentence, and Susan took
the half-biscuit, finding when she began it that she was even hungrier
than she thought. She was still hungry when it was all gone, and she
felt sure the French gentleman could easily have eaten more. She would
have liked to offer him some of her sandwiches or a bun, but there was
still no sign of Maria.

So hour after hour went by, until, late in the afternoon, her companion
told her they were getting near Ramsgate.

"In one quarter of an hour we shall be at the pier. The journey will
then be over. The passage has been fine and tranquil."

But poor Maria had not found it so, for it was not until the steamer was
stopping that she appeared on deck looking very white, and staggering
about helplessly. It was fortunate, therefore, that Susan's new friend
was there, and that she herself could point out the luggage, for Maria
had now quite lost her head, and was of no use at all.

The French gentleman, however, was most active and kind in their
service, and did not leave them till they were safely in a cab with
their property. Even then Maria had forgotten the address, and it was
Susan who said:

"It is Belmont Cottage, Chatham Road."

"Ah!" exclaimed Susan's friend; "it is the house of Madam