of public life before I've said anything which you can really
scathe."

"We thought," said Lalage, "that as it didn't much matter to us where we
went we might as well come out to see you. You were the only person who
gave a decent 'sub' to the society. I'll explain our new idea to you
later on."

"I'm very glad I did," I said. "If another fiver would bring
Selby-Harrison by the next steamer--Hullo! Here's Hilda back with Miss
Battersby. I hardly thought she'd have succeeded in getting her. How do
you do, Miss Battersby? I'm delighted to welcome you to Lisbon, and I
must do my best for you now you're here. I'm quite at your disposal for
the day."

Miss Battersby smiled feebly. She had not yet recovered from the effects
of the sea voyage.

"First," said Lalage, "we'll go to an hotel."

"Of course," I said, "to get the cigarettes."

"No," said Lalage; "to let Miss Battersby get to bed. She wants to get
to bed, doesn't she, Hilda?"

Hilda, who was supporting Miss Battersby, and so in a position to judge
of her condition, nodded.

"She's frightfully weak," said Lalage to me, "on account of not having
eaten anything except two water biscuits and an apple for nearly a
week."

"In that case," I said, "a little luncheon----"

"Could you eat luncheon?" said Lalage to Miss Battersby.

Miss Battersby seemed to wish to try.

"Could she, Hilda?" said Lalage. "It's a long time since she has."

"She must make a beginning some day," I said.

"I still think she'd be better in bed," said Lalage.

"After lunch," I said firmly, "You ought not to be vindictive, Lalage.
It's a long time since that trouble about the character of Mary."

"I'm not thinking of that," said Lalage.

"And she's not a bishop. Why should you starve her?"

"Very well," said Lalage. "Do whatever you like, but don't blame me
afterward if she's---- she was, on the steamer, horribly."

We fed Miss Battersby on some soup, a fragment of fried fish and a glass
of light wine. She evidently wanted to eat an omelette as well, but
Lalage forbade this. Whether she was actually put to bed afterward or
merely laid down I do not know. She must have been at least partially
undressed, for Lalage and Hilda were plentifully supplied with
cigarettes during the afternoon.

CHAPTER VI

Lalage, Hilda, and I went for a drive in one of the attractive carriages
which ply for hire in the Lisbon streets. We drove up one side of the
Avenida de Liberdade and down