If I had been cool enough to think then, I suppose I could have reasoned that all this was probably most flattering to me, and an extra proof of her state of mind, but the agitation it had plunged me into made me unable to balance things, and I too allowed my temper to get the better of me, and I got up as best I could and seizing my crutch, I walked towards my bedroom door. "I shall expect an apology," was all I said, and went in and left her alone. If we are to go on fighting like this, life won't be worth living! I tried to calm myself and went in the window, but the servants came into the room to make the bed, so I was forced to go back again to the sitting-room. Alathea had gone into the little salon, I suppose, because for the same reason, she could not have returned to her room. I sat down in my chair quite exhausted. I did not feel like reading or doing anything. It was to-day that we were to go to the Duchesse's in the afternoon for Alathea to be presented to our friends as my wife! I wondered if she had forgotten this! After an hour Burton came in with the second post. "You do look badly, Sir Nicholas!" he said. His face was perplexed and troubled. "Can I get you anything?" "Where is Her Ladyship, Burton?" Then he told me that she had gone out. I could see he wanted to say something. His remarks are generally valuable. "Out with it, Burton." "I do think it is Mam'zelle that's causing all the trouble. As bad luck would have it, as I opened the door to let Her Ladyship out, who should come up the stairs a moment after but Mam'zelle! They must have passed on the floor below. Neither had taken the lift, which as you know, Sir Nicholas, is out of order again, since last night." "Then she thinks Suzette has come in here to see me Burton. By Jove what a devilish complication! I think we had better move from the flat as quickly as we can." "It seems as if it would be advisable, Sir Nicholas." "Can you suggest anything, Burton? I really am quite knocked over to-day." "Her Ladyship don't chat to servants like some ladies, or I could easily let her maid know that Mam'zelle don't visit here, so that won't do," he mused. "You could not tell her yourself straight out. Sir Nicholas, could you?" "It would be difficult, because it presupposes I think she minds about it, and for me to let her know that would insult her more than anything." "Beg pardon, Sir Nicholas, but there was a young woman some twenty years ago, who had a temper like, and I always found it was best just to make a fuss of her, and not do no reasoning. That is what they wants, Sir Nicholas, indeed it is. I've watched them in all classes for a matter of many years. You can get what you want of them if you only make a fuss of them." "What does 'to make a fuss of' exactly mean Burton?"