"I don't think," said Commander Raffleton. "If you don't mind I
think we'd better leave that for Mrs. Muldoon."

The Professor let go the coat. Malvina appeared a shade
disappointed. One opines that not unreasonably she may have thought
to make a better impression without it. But a smiling acquiescence
in all arrangements made for her welfare seems to have been one of
her charms.

"Perhaps," suggested Commander Raffleton to Malvina while
refastening a few of the more important buttons, "if you wouldn't
mind explaining yourself to my Cousin Christopher just exactly who
and what you are--you'd do it so much better than I should." (What
Commander Raffleton was saying to himself was: "If I tell the dear
old Johnny, he'll think I'm pulling his leg. It will sound
altogether different the way she will put it.") "You're sure you
don't mind?"

Malvina hadn't the slightest objection. She accomplished her
curtsy--or rather it looked as if the coat were curtsying--quite
gracefully, and with a dignity one would not have expected from it.

"I am the fairy Malvina," she explained to the Professor. "You may
have heard of me. I was the favourite of Harbundia, Queen of the
White Ladies of Brittany. But that was long ago."

The friendly magician was staring at her with a pair of round eyes
that in spite of their amazement looked kindly and understanding.
They probably encouraged Malvina to complete the confession of her
sad brief history.