had she learned it? Might not there be sources unknown to
the Professor?

But to take her in! To establish her in the only spare bedroom. To
introduce her--as what? to English village society. To the new people
at the Manor House. To the member of Parliament with his innocent
young wife who had taken the vicarage for the summer. To Dawson, R.A.,
and the Calthorpes!

He might, had he thought it worth his while, have found some
respectable French family and boarded her out. There was a man he had
known for years at Oxford, a cabinetmaker; the wife a most worthy
woman. He could have gone over there from time to time, his notebook
in his pocket, and have interviewed her.

Left to himself, he might have behaved as a sane and rational citizen;
or he might not. There are records favouring the latter possibility.
The thing is not certain. But as regards this particular incident in
his career he must be held exonerated. The decision was taken out of
his hands.

To Malvina, on first landing in England, Commander Raffleton had stated
his intention of leaving her temporarily in the care of the wise and
learned Christopher. To Malvina, regarding the Commander as a gift
from the gods, that had settled the matter. The wise and learned
Christopher, of course, knew of this coming. In all probability it was
he--under the guidance of the gods--who had arranged the whole sequence
of events. There remained only to tender him her gratitude. She did
not wait for the Professor's reply. The coat a little hindered her
but, on the other hand, added perhaps an appealing touch of its own.
Taking the wise and learned Christopher's hand in both her own, she
knelt and kissed it.

And in that quaint archaic French of hers, that long study of the
Chronicles of Froissart enabled the Professor to understand:

"I thank you," she said, "for your noble courtesy and hospitality."

In some mysterious way the whole affair had suddenly become imbued with
the dignity of an historical event. The Professor had the sudden
impression--and indeed it never altogether left him so long as Malvina
remained--that he was a great and powerful personage. A sister
potentate; incidentally--though, of course, in high politics such
points are immaterial--the most bewilderingly beautiful being he had
ever seen; had graciously consented to become his guest. The
Professor, with a bow that might have been acquired at the court of
King Rene, expressed h