As a consequence of this speculation he went back to Madame Carre to ask her to reconsider her stern judgement and give the young English lady--to oblige him--a dozen lessons of the sort she knew so well how to give. He was aware that this request scarcely stood on its feet; for in the first place Madame Carre never reconsidered when once she had got her impression, and in the second never wasted herself on subjects whom nature had not formed to do her honour. He knew his asking her to strain a point to please him would give her a false idea--save that for that matter she had it already--of his relations, actual or prospective, with the girl; but he decided he needn't care for this, since Miriam herself probably wouldn't care. What he had mainly in mind was to say to the old actress that she had been mistaken--the _jeune Anglaise_ wasn't such a _grue_. This would take some courage, but it would also add to the amusement of his visit. He found her at home, but as soon as he had expressed his conviction she began: "Oh, your _jeune Anglaise_, I know a great deal more about her than you! She has been back to see me twice; she doesn't go the longest way round. She charges me like a grenadier and asks me to give her--guess a little what!--private recitations all to herself. If she doesn't succeed it won't be for want of knowing how to thump at doors. The other day when I came in she was waiting for me; she had been there two hours. My private recitations--have you an idea what people pay for them?" "Between artists, you know, there are easier conditions," Sherringham laughed. "How do I know if she's an artist? She won't open her mouth to me; what she wants is to make me say things to _her_. She does make me--I don't know how--and she sits there gaping at me with her big eyes. They look like open pockets!" "I daresay she'll profit by it," said Sherringham. "I daresay _you_ will! Her face is stupid while she watches me, and when she has tired me out she simply walks away. However, as she comes back--!" Madame Carre paused a moment, listened and then cried: "Didn't I tell you?" Sherringham heard a parley of voices in the little antechamber, and the next moment the door was pushed open and Miriam Rooth bounded into the room. She was flushed and breathless, without a smile, very direct.