'Oh no.'

Madame reminded me twice, in the course of the evening, of my promise.
She was very eager on this point. But it is a world of disappointment,
influenza, and rheumatics; and next morning Madame was prostrate in her
bed, and careless of all things but flannel and James's powder.

Madame was _désolée_; but she could not raise her head. She only murmured a
question.

'For 'ow long time, dear, will Lady Knollys remain?'

'A very few days, I believe.'

'Hélas! 'ow onlucky! maybe to-morrow I shall be better Ouah! my ear. The
laudanum, dear cheaile!'

And so our conversation for that time ended, and Madame buried her head in
her old red cashmere shawl.




CHAPTER IX

_MONICA KNOLLYS_


Punctually Lady Knollys arrived. She was accompanied by her nephew, Captain
Oakley.