In some mysterious way the whole affair had suddenly become imbued
with the dignity of an historical event. The Professor had the
sudden impression--and indeed it never altogether left him so long
as Malvina remained--that he was a great and powerful personage. A
sister potentate; incidentally--though, of course, in high politics
such points are immaterial--the most bewilderingly beautiful being
he had ever seen; had graciously consented to become his guest. The
Professor, with a bow that might have been acquired at the court of
King Rene, expressed his sense of the honour done to him. What else
could a self-respecting potentate do? The incident was closed.

Flight Commander Raffleton seems to have done nothing in the
direction of re-opening it. On the contrary, he appears to have
used this precise moment for explaining to the Professor how
absolutely necessary it was that he should depart for Farnborough
without another moment's loss of time. Commander Raffleton added
that he would "look them both up again" the first afternoon he could
get away; and was sure that if the Professor would get Malvina to
speak slowly, he would soon find her French easy to understand.

It did occur to the Professor to ask Commander Raffleton where he
had found Malvina--that is, if he remembered. Also what he was
going to do about her--that is, if he happened to know. Commander
Raffleton, regretting his great need of haste, explained that he had
found Malvina asleep beside a menhir not far from Huelgoat, in
Brittany, and was afraid that he had woke her up. For further
particulars, would the Professor kindly apply to Malvina? For
himself, he would never, he felt sure, be able to thank the