As we got into the fiacre I slipped in the slightest degree, and caught on to her arm--It was bare to the elbow in the little cheap cotton frock, and as I touched the fine, fine skin, that maddening feeling came over me again to clasp her in my arms.--I pulled myself together, and she got in beside me. She has a darling tiny curl which comes behind her ear, slipped down probably because her hair is so unfashionably dressed--None of Suzette's "_geste_," nor even the subtle perfect taste of the fluffies.--It is just torn back and rolled into a tight twist. But now that I see her out of doors and in perspective I realize that she has a lovely small figure, and that everything is in the right place. I had told Burton to order the nicest lunch he could think of in that simple place, and our table under one of the umbrellas was waiting for us when we arrived. There were only four other people there besides ourselves, and a few came in afterwards. I had forgotten my bread tickets, so Miss Sharp gave me one of hers. She had relapsed into absolute silence. The only words she had uttered as we came down that avenue from The Trianon to the _lac_ were when I exclaimed at the beauty of it--I judged by her mouth that she was admiring it too--and she said softly-- "For me, Versailles is the loveliest spot on earth!" My mind flew then to the thought of what it would be to buy a really nice house here and spend the summers--with her--for my own--. I found myself clutching at my crutch--. I tried to make conversation at lunch. There is nothing in the world so difficult as to keep this up when you are nervous with interest, and the other person is determined not to say a sentence which is unnecessary. A chill crept over me. Burton turned up in time to pay the bill and put me into my chair. "I don't think you look well enough to stay out the afternoon, Sir Nicholas"--he said--"Better go straight back to the hotel and rest--." Miss Sharp joined in. "I was going to say that"--she said. I felt like a cross, disappointed child--I knew they were both right though; I was feeling pretty tired and had not an idea in my head. But if I did that, there would be a chance to see her lost--and all the long hours to face alone--. "I am quite all right and I want to work," I said fretfully--and we started off. We went up through the lovely _allées_ past _Enceledus_--and on to the _Quinconce du Nord_, Miss Sharp walking a little behind my chair. Here Burton bent over me--. "It would be good for you to be taking a nap, Sir Nicholas--Indeed it would." It seemed as if Miss Sharp was abetting him, for she came to my side--. "If you can get quite comfortable--I would read to you, and you might sleep," she said--. "We've no book"--I retorted--peeved, and yet pleased at the idea.