arge in
modern dress as a German could be. But even Madame Defarge was a woman!
And probably she used her influence now and then in favour of some
handsome male head, preferring to see female ones pop into the sawdust!

Her face softened slightly as she accepted the needle, and stiffened
again as I came forward.

"My husband is occupied," she said, in much the same stilted English as
that of her old servant. "He sends his compliments to the Princess di
Miramare and her friend, and hopes both will excuse him. If it is an
offer for our place you have come to make, I must refuse in his name. We
do not wish to move."

Her tone, her expression, gave to her words the solemnity of an oath
sworn by a houseful of Medes and Persians.

It seemed that there was nothing left for us to do, save bow to Lady
Scarlett's decision, and retire defeated to our taxi. But I felt that my
reputation as a Brightener was at stake, with Terry's hopes. If we
failed, instead of brightening I should have blighted him for ever! That
couldn't, shouldn't be!

All there was of me yearned for an inspiration, and it came.

"My friend, Captain Burns, wouldn't ask you to move," I heard myself
saying. "He's so anxious to have Dun Moat that he'd offer you any rent
within reason, and would invite you to select some retired rooms for
yourselves, where you might live undisturbed by the tenant. This house
is so large it occurs to me that such an arrangement wouldn't be
uncomfortable."

Terry flashed me a look of amazement, which turned to acquiescence; and
the surprise on Lady Scarlett's face was encouraging. Evidently no one
else had made such a suggestion. She seemed not only astonished, but
tempted.

For a moment she reflected; then admitted that my proposal was a new
one. She would submit it to her husband. They would talk it over if we
cared to wait. We did care to; and the lady vanished like a stout ghost
into the dimness of stony shadows.

Terry said that he felt his head growing gray, hair by hair, with
suspense; but when Lady Scarlett came back at last no change could be
seen by the naked eye.

"My husband and I will consider your proposal," she said, "provided the
price is satisfactory, and taking it for granted that we agree on the
rooms for our occupation. We should want those known as the 'garden
court suite.' And we should ask one hundred and fifty pounds a week, for
a possible term of ten weeks, on the proviso that we could terminate th