"Then we should certainly be able to find out from the Duchesse--." "Well, I would not be so sure of that Sir Nicholas--You see the Duchesse is a very kind lady, but she is a lady of the world, and she may have her reasons." "Then what do you suggest, Burton?" "Why, I hardly know--perhaps to wait and see, Sir Nicholas." "Masterly inactivity!" "It might be that I could do a bit of finding out if I felt sure no harm could come of it." I was not quite certain what Burton meant by this--What possible harm could come of it? "Find out all you can and let me know--." * * * * * Suzette opened the door and came in just as I finished dressing--Burton left the room.--She was pouting. "So the book is not completed, Nicholas?--and the English Mees comes three times a week--_hein_?" "Yes--does that upset you?" "I should say!" "May I not have a secretary?--You will be objecting to my Aunt coming to stay with me, or my dining with my friends--next!" I was angry--. "No--_mon ami_--not that--they are not for me--those--but a secretary--a 'Mees'--_tiens_?--for why do you want us two?" "You _two_! good Lord! Do you think, Suzette--_Mon Dieu!_"--I now became very angry. "My secretary is here to type my book--. Let us understand one another quite--You have overstepped the mark this time, Suzette, and there must be an end. Name whatever sum you want me to settle on you and then I don't ever wish to see you again." She burst into frantic weeping. She had meant nothing--she was jealous--she loved me--even going to the sea could do nothing for her! I was her _adoré_--her sun, moon and stars--of what matter a leg or an eye--! I was her life--her _Amant_!! "Nonsense, Suzette!--you have told me often it was only because I was very rich--now be sensible--these things have to have an end some day. I shall be going back to England soon, so just let me make you comfortable and happy and let us part friends--." She still stormed and raged--'There was someone else--it was the "Mees"--I had been different ever since she had come to the flat--She, Suzette, would be revenged--she would kill her--!' Then I flew into a rage, and dominated her, and when I had her thoroughly frightened I appealed to the best in her--and when she was sobbing quietly Burton came in to say that dinner was ready--his face was eloquent! "Don't let the waiters see you like that," I said. Suzette rushed to the glass and looked at herself, and then began opening her gold chain bag to get out her powder and lip grease--I went on into the salon and left her--. What an irony everything is--! When I was yearning for tenderness and love--, even Suzette's, I was unable to touch her, and now because I am quite indifferent, both she and Nina, in their separate ways, have begun to find me attractive. So there is nothing in it really, it is only as to whether or no you arouse the hunting instinct!