Aghast at such ill-timed pleasantry, we erupted pellmell into the drive, all frantic by word or deed to distract the terrier from his purpose. Shrieks, curses, and a copy of _La Fontaine's Fables_ were hurled simultaneously and in vain at our favourite, and it was Berry, to whom the fear of further acquaintance with the emporiums of Pau must have lent wings, who actually overtook and discomfited the pursuer some three yards from the road. It was with feelings of inexpressible relief that we presently beheld the three returning--Berry alternately rebuking the Sealyham, who was under his arm, and apologising to his guest, the latter wide-eyed, something out of breath, and anything but easy, and Nobby apparently torn between an aggressively affectionate regard for his captor and a still furiously expressed suspicion of the stranger within our gates. As the trio drew nigh-- "It is Monsieur Planchet," called Berry. "He's brought some things for us to see. His man's behind with a barrow." With beating hearts we trooped back into the house.... As I returned from thrusting Nobby into a bedroom, Monsieur Planchet's hireling staggered into the hall, a gigantic basket-trunk poised precariously upon his hunched shoulders. The inspection was held in the drawing-room. It was rather late in the day to assume that nonchalant air which has, from time immemorial, adorned the armouries of all accomplished hucksters. Our instant recognition of the salesman, our energetic solicitude for his safety, and our obvious anxiety to dissociate ourselves from the policy of direct action adopted by the terrier, had not only betrayed, but emphasised, the fact that the sailor's arrival was very much to our taste. Clearly, if we did not wish to pay through the nose for what we purchased, our only course was to feign disappointment when the wares were produced. For what it was worth I circulated a covert recommendation of this wile, which was acknowledged with sundry nods and inaudible assurances--the latter, so far as Jill was concerned, too readily given to inspire me with confidence. Sure enough, when the lid of the trunk was lifted, and Planchet plucked forth a truly exquisite rug and flung it dexterously across a chair, my grey-eyed cousin let out a gasp which an infant in arms could not have misinterpreted. There was only one thing to be done, and Daphne did it. With a heroic disregard for her reputation, she shook her head. "Too bright," she said shortly. "Don't you think so?" she added, turning to Berry. The latter swallowed before replying. "It's positively gaudy," he said gloomily. Planchet shrugged his shoulders and began to unfasten a bale....