Her manner was the reverse of demure, nor were her eyes downcast. They struck me as being the most brazen eyes I had seen for a long time as they gazed unflinchingly up into my own. Much as I knew, I disliked her, I could not, at that moment, help noticing those strangely dark eyes of hers, now so full of laughter and wickedness; also the singular evenness of the small white teeth; the natural redness of the full lips; the clear, olive complexion, and the thick mantle of long, blue-black hair. Yet I did not admire her in the least. Oh, no. If her appearance struck me as remarkable and not wholly unpleasing, it was only for a brief instant. "Have you left Lady Thorold's service?" I asked, loud enough for others to hear. I thought that, at any rate, would be a nasty snub. Instead, she laughed immoderately. So, to my surprise, did her friends who had overheard my question. "Ah, monsieur, but you are too _drole_!" she exclaimed, as she stopped laughing. "I was not in Lady Thorold's service, or in la Baronne de Coudron's or in anybody else's. I have never been in service. I--in service? _I_? Pah!" She made a gesture of contempt. "I don't understand," I said. "I was Lady Thorold's friend, her very intimate friend, and la Baronne de Coudron's too, and--and other people's. I am no _servant_, I assure you! m'sieur." I stared at her. "You little impostor!" I said after a pause. She laughed, and took my arm confidingly. "I have always liked you, I have really," she said in a coaxing undertone. "You are not like other men. You are not always trying to make love to everybody. _Ma foi_! How I detest some of your countrymen, they make themselves too ridiculous when they come to France." "You seem to know a lot about them," I answered, for want of something better to say. "_Bien_! I can assure you!" she replied, to my surprise, quite bitterly. Then she said quickly, in her broken English as though anxious to change the subject-- "You want Mademoiselle Vera--eh?" "What do you mean?" I gasped, amazed. "What I say. You want her. Well, she is quite near here." "Near here!" "_Mais oui_. Pay me enough, and I will take you to her--now." I was panting with excitement. With an effort I controlled myself. It was clear to me that this woman knew a great deal. She might indeed be able to clear up the whole mystery of Houghton Park if she were paid enough, perhaps also the mystery connected with Chateau d'Uzerche. Yes, I would humour her. If it became necessary, I would pay her the highest sum she might ask for, that I was in a position to pay. But first to meet my darling again. How I longed to see her once more, after all those mysterious happenings! "How much do you want?" I asked abruptly. She named an absurdly large sum. Eventually we came to terms, and I paid her in French notes.