London?"

Paul threw out his arms in a wide gesture. "Why--your servants--"

She cast the just lighted cigarette into the fire, rose and clapped
her hands on his shoulders, her face aflame. "Forgive me--I knew
it--there are doubting Thomases everywhere--and I'm a woman who
deals with facts, so that I can use them to the confusion of
enemies. Now I have them. Ser Federigo's watch and chain. Nicht
wahr?"

Remember, you who judge this sensible woman of forty-three, that she
had fallen in love with Paul in the most unreprehensible way in the
world; and if a woman of that age cannot fall in love with a boy
sweetly motherwise, what is the good of her? She longed to prove
that her polyhedral crystal of a paragon radiated pure light from
every one of his innumerable facets. It was a matter of intense joy
to turn him round and find each facet pure. There was also much pity
in her heart, such as a woman might feel for a wounded bird which
she had picked up and nursed in her bosom and healed. Ursula was
loath to let her bird fly forth into the bleak winter.

"My brother and I have been talking about you--he is your friend,
too," she said, resuming her seat. "How would it suit you to stay
with us altogether?"

Paul started bolt upright in his chair. "What do you mean?" he asked
breathlessly, for the heavens had opened with dazzling
unexpectedness.