So vain is it for either wisdom or simplicity, candor or diplomacy--nay, for facts themselves--to struggle against a Man with a Theory. Mr. Laing went to bed no more doubting that Mary and John were man and wife than he doubted that he had 'spotted' the winner of the Derby. Certitude could no farther go. CHAPTER VII THE SIGHTS OF AVIGNON "It's a curious thing," observed Roger Deane, "but this fellow Baedeker always travels the opposite way to what I do. When I'm coming back, he's always going out, and vice versa. It makes him precious difficult to understand, I can tell you, Miss Dora. However I think I've got him now. Listen to this! 'Marseilles to Arles (Amphitheatre starred) one day. Arles to Avignon (Palace of the Popes starred) two days--slow going that--Avignon to----'" "Do you want to _squat_ in this wretched country, Sir Roger?" demanded Dora angrily. A faint smile played round Sir Roger's lips. "You're the only one who's in a hurry." he remarked. "No, I'm not. Mr. Ellerton is in just as much of a hurry." "Then he bears disappointment better." "What in the world did papa and--well, and Lady Deane, you know--want to stop here for?" "You don't seem to understand how interesting Marseilles is. Let me read you a passage. 'Marseilles was a colony founded about 600 B.C.'--What? Oh, all right! We'll skip a bit. 'In 1792 hordes of galley-slaves were sent hence to Paris, where they committed frightful excesses.' That's what Maud and your father are going to do. 'It was for them that Rouget--' I say, what's the matter, Miss Dora?" "I don't know why you should enjoy teasing me, but you _have_ nearly made me cry, so perhaps you'll be happy now." "You tried to take me in. I pretended to be taken in. That's all." "Well, it was very unkind of you." "So, after all, it's not a matter of indifference to you at what rate we travel, as you said in the train to-day?" "Oh, I had to. I--I couldn't let papa see." "And why are you in a hurry?" "I can't tell you; but I must--oh, I must!--be in England in four days." "You'll hardly get your father to give up a day at Avignon." "Well, one day there; then we should just do it, if we only slept in Paris." "Yes, but my wife----" "Oh, you can stay. Don't say anything about Paris yet. Help me to get there. I'll make papa go on. Please do, Sir Roger. I shall be so awfully obliged to you; so will Mr. Ellerton." "Charlie Ellerton? Not he! He's in no hurry." "What do you mean? Didn't you hear him to-day urging papa to travel straight through?" "Oh, yes, I heard that." "Well?" "You were there then." "What of that?" "He's not so pressing when you're away." "I don't understand. Why should he pretend to be in a hurry when he isn't?" "Ah, I don't know. Don't you?" "Not in the least, Sir Roger. But never mind Mr. Ellerton. Will you help me?" "As far as Paris. You must look out for yourself there."