"And she has arranged such a nice little programme for you," said
Adrian. "A lecture on Tolstoi to-night and the City Temple to-morrow.
Pity to miss 'em."

"If I saw any more of Euphemia, I might hurt her," said Liosha.

"Oh, Lord!" said Jaffery. "But you must go somewhere." He turned to me
with a groan. "Look here, old chap. It's awfully rough luck, but I must
take her back to the Savoy and mount guard over her so that she doesn't
break my poor sister's neck."

"I wouldn't go so far as that," said Liosha.

"How far would you go?" Adrian asked politely, with the air of one
seeking information.

"Oh, shut up, you idiot," Jaffery turned on him savagely. "Can't you see
the position I'm in?"

"I'm very sorry you're angry, Jaff Chayne," said Liosha with a certain
kind dignity. "But these are your friends. Their house is yours. Why
should I not stay here with you?"

"Here? Good God!" cried Jaffery.

"Yes, why not?" said Barbara, who had set out to teach this lady
manners.

"The very thing," said I.

Jaffery declared the idea to be nonsense. Barbara and I protested,
growing warmer in our protestations as the argument continued. Nothing
would give us such unimaginable pleasure as to entertain Mrs. Prescott.
Liosha laid her hand on Jaffery's arm.

"But why shouldn't they have me? When a stranger asks for hospitality in
Albania he is invited to walk right in and own the place. Is it refused
in England?"

"Strangers don't ask," growled Jaffery.

"It would make life much more pleasant if they did," said Barbara,
smiling. "Mrs. Prescott, this bear of a guardian or trustee or whatever
he is of yours, makes a terrible noise--but he's quite harmless."

"I know that," said Liosha.

"He does what I tell him," the little lady continued, drawing herself up
majestically beside Jaffery's great bulk. "He's going to stay here, and
so will you, if you will so far honour us."

Liosha rose and bowed. "The honour is mine."

"Then will you come this way--I will shew you your room."

She motioned to Liosha to precede her through the French window of the
drawing-room. Before disappearing Liosha bowed again. I caught up
Barbara.

"My dear, what about clothes and things?"

"My dear," she said, "there's a telephone, there's a taxi, there's a
maid, there's the Savoy hotel, and there's a train to bring back maid
and clothes."

When Barbara takes command like this, the wise man effaces himself. She
would run an Empire with far