all that, we will settle to-morrow, but I think you will find
everything satisfactory.'

'I am sure of that, Madame,' returned Vandeloup, with a bow.

'And now,' said Madame Midas, graciously, relaxing somewhat now that
business was over, 'you had better have some supper.'

Pierre's face lighted up when he heard this invitation, and
Vandeloup bowed politely.

'You are very kind,' he said, looking at Mrs Villiers in a friendly
manner; 'supper is rather a novelty to both of us.'

Selina meanwhile had gone out, and returned with some cold beef and
pickles, a large loaf and a jug of beer. These she placed on the
table, and then retired to her seat again, inwardly rebellious at
having two tramps at the table, but outwardly calm.

Pierre fell upon the victuals before him with the voracity of a
starving animal, and ate and drank in such a savage manner that
Madame was conscious of a kind of curious repugnance, and even
Archie was startled out of his Scotch phlegm.

'I wadna care aboot keepin' yon long,' he muttered to himself; 'he's
mair like a cannibal nor a ceevalized body.'

Vandeloup, however, ate very little and soon finished; then filling
a glass with beer, he held it to his lips and bowed again to Madame
Midas.