“It’s the last word in luxury,” agreed Belinda. “And there’s practically nothing to be done. When that stuff on the edge of the terrace has been taken away——” “What stuff?” said Pomeroy suspiciously. “D’you mean the balustrade?” “Well, it isn’t really a balustrade.” She addressed herself to the lawyer. “It’s a hideous sort of parapet, Mr. Forsyth. It doesn’t go with anything and it just ruins the whole _ensemble_.” “My dear Belinda,” said Pomeroy, “you can’t take that away. It mayn’t be a work of art, but it’s pretty useful. You must have a rail or something.” “Why?” “There’s a twelve-foot drop,” said Pomeroy. “That’s why. You can’t have a depth like that unflagged. Supposing one of your guests came in a bit lively—by starlight.” “I don’t entertain drunkards.” “Well, I protest,” said Pomeroy. “I—I like the balustrade.” “Unfortunately I don’t,” said Belinda in a freezing tone. “That’s why I shall have it removed. When you come you can fix up a life-line—for night-work.” Forsyth cleared his throat. “I’m afraid any structural alterations would have to be agreed, Miss Seneschal.” “But it isn’t a structural alteration.” “My dear child,” said Pomeroy, raising his eyes. Belinda regarded him furiously. Then she averted her gaze and tilted her chin. “Mr. Forsyth,” she said, “the house is ours. If it was mine I should put in a caretaker at once. But I suppose I mustn’t do that.” Forsyth turned to Pomeroy. “Have you any objection?” he said. “None,” said Pomeroy, “provided the caretaker has instructions to take orders from me.” Miss Seneschal gasped. “I don’t think you quite understand,” she said. “I should be paying the caretaker.” “Exactly,” said Pomeroy. “And when I rolled up with my baggage she’d send for the police.” “She’d have instructions to permit you to enter.” “She’d have ten minutes to clear out,” was the violent reply. “I’m not going to be followed about my own house by a glassy-eyed sleuth in somebody else’s pay.” Speechless with indignation, Belinda crowded lightning into her beautiful eyes. “I know a very good man,” continued Pomeroy, apparently addressing the cornice. “If you like I’ll send him to see you. I shall tell him that you are his mistress and——” “That,” said Belinda, “would be misleading. No nominee of yours will enter _Les Iles d’Or_.” “Look here,” said Forsyth. “By the merest chance I happen to be going to Biarritz in six days’ time. If you like I’ll install a caretaker and have an inventory made. Copies to each of you, of course. I’ll find a good agent and tell him to pay the caretaker and keep an eye on the house. He’d better report to you both once a month. When you propose to reside you’ll let him know and he’ll make the necessary arrangements. If anything has to be done at any time he’ll write to you both, and your two signatures will be his authority to go ahead.” “Forsyth,” said Pomeroy piously, “what should we do without you?”