nswered Audrey with grim satisfaction. "What kind of a
car will it be?"

"Mercedes, Madame."

The price was eight hundred francs a week, inclusive. As Audrey was paying
for the first week the man murmured:

"What address, Madame?"

"Hotel du Danube," she answered like lightning--indeed far quicker than
thought. "But I shall call here for the car. It must be waiting outside."

The dispenser of cars bowed.

"Can you get a taxi for me?" Audrey suggested. "I will leave this roll here
and this bag," producing her old handbag which she had concealed under her
coat. And she thought: "All this is really very simple."

At the other address which she had found in the telephone book--a house in
the Rue d'Aumale--she said to an aged concierge:

"Monsieur Foa--which floor?"

A very dark, rather short and negligently dressed man of nearly middle-age
who was descending the staircase, raised his hat with grave ceremony:

"Pardon, Madame. Foa--it is I."

Audrey was not prepared for this encounter. She had intended to compose her
face and her speech while mounting the staircase. She blushed.

"I come from Musa--the violinist," she began hesitatingly. "You invited
him to play at your flat on Friday night, Monsieur."

Monsieur Foa gave a sudden enchanting smile:

"Yes, Madame. I hear much good of him from my friend Dauphin, much good.
And we long to hear him play. It appears he is a great artist."

"He has had an accident," said Audrey. Monsier Foa's face grew serious. "It
is nothing--a few days. The elbow--a trifle. He cannot play next Friday.
But he will be desolated if he may not play to you later. He has so few
friends.... I came.... I...."

"Madame, every Friday we are at home, every Friday. My wife will be
ravished. I shall be ravished. Believe me. Let him be reassured."

"Monsieur, you are too amiable. I shall tell Musa."

"Musa, he may have few friends--it is possible, Madame--but he is
nevertheless fortunate. Madame is English, is it not so? My wife and I
adore England and the English. For us there is only England. If Madame
would do us the honour of coming when Musa plays.... My wife will send an
invitation, to the end of remaining within the rules. You, Madame, and any
of your friends."

"Monsieur is too amiable, truly."

In the end they were standing together on the pavement by the waiting taxi.
She gave him her card, and breathed the words "Hotel du Danube." He was
enchanted. She offered her hand. He to