this solitude just suits me. If I were at the 'Plaza' I should have
to meet a lot of women--"

"No, you wouldn't," interrupted Manella, suddenly and sharply--"only
one woman."

"Only one? You?"

She sighed, and moved impatiently.

"Oh, no! Not me. A stranger."

He looked at her with a touch of inquisitiveness.

"An invalid?"

"She may be. I don't know. She has golden hair."

He gave a gesture of dislike.

"Dreadful! That's enough! I can imagine her,--a die-away creature
with a cough and a straw-coloured wig. Yes!--that will do, Manella!
You'd better go and wait upon her. I've got all I want for a couple
of days at least." He seated himself and took up his note-book. She
turned away.

"Stop a minute, Manella!"

She obeyed.