But not a penny piece besides--not a pair of gloves, nor a
theatre ticket.' She didn't understand--was very offended
sometimes. Said I was foolishly proud. It wasn't that--but I
couldn't explain. Anyway, I kept my self-respect. And so, out
of the whole bunch, I was the only one who could allow myself to
be fond of her. I watched over her. I guarded her from the lot
of them, and then a glib-tongued scoundrel comes along, and pooh!
all my years of devotion go for nothing."

Poirot nodded sympathetically.

"I understand, mademoiselle, I understand all you feel. It is
most natural. You think that we are lukewarm--that we lack fire
and energy--but trust me, it is not so."

John stuck his head in at this juncture, and invited us both to
come up to Mrs. Inglethorp's room, as he and Mr. Wells had
finished looking through the desk in the boudoir.

As we went up the stairs, John looked back to the dining-room
door, and lowered his voice confidentially:

"Look here, what's going to happen when these two meet?"

I shook my head helplessly.

"I've told Mary to keep them apart if she can."

"Will she be able to do so?"