'Every night when it is not cloudy, and often in the day.'

'Ah, night, of course. The heavens must be beautiful from this
point.'

'They are rather more than that.'

'Indeed! Have you entirely taken possession of this column?'

'Entirely.'

'But it is my column,' she said, with smiling asperity.

'Then are you Lady Constantine, wife of the absent Sir Blount
Constantine?'

'I am Lady Constantine.'

'Ah, then I agree that it is your ladyship's. But will you allow me
to rent it of you for a time, Lady Constantine?'

'You have taken it, whether I allow it or not. However, in the
interests of science it is advisable that you continue your tenancy.
Nobody knows you are here, I suppose?'

'Hardly anybody.'

He then took her down a few steps into the interior, and showed her
some ingenious contrivances for stowing articles away.