Diana thanked him mutely by a look, and conversation now became general. In a very short time the little party broke up, and Dimitrius accompanied his guests in turn to the door. The Rousillons took Farnese with them in their automobile,--Professor Chauvet, putting on a most unbecoming and very shabby great-coat, went on his way walking--he lived but half-a-mile or so further up the road. “In a small cottage, or châlet,”--he explained--“A bachelor’s hermitage where I shall be happy to see you, Miss May, if you ever care to come. I have nothing to show you but books, minerals and a few jewels--which perhaps you might like to look at. Strange jewels!--with histories and qualities and characteristics--is it not so, Dimitrius?” Dimitrius nodded. “They have their own mysteries, like everything else,” he said. Diana murmured her thanks for the invitation and bade him good-night,--then, as he went out of the room with his host, she turned to Madame Dimitrius and with a gentle, almost affectionate consideration, asked if she could do anything for her before going to bed. “No, my dear!” answered the old lady, taking her hand and patting it caressingly. “It’s kind of you to think about me--and if I want you I’ll ask you to come and help an old woman to be more useful than she is! But wait a few minutes--I know Féodor wishes to speak to you.” “I have not displeased him, I hope, in any way?” Diana said, a little anxiously. “I felt so ‘at home,’ as it were, that I’m afraid I spoke a little too frankly as a stranger----” “You spoke charmingly!” Madame assured her--“Brightly, and with perfect independence, which we admire. And need I say how much both my son and I appreciated your quickness of perception and tact?” She laid a slight emphasis on the last word. Diana smiled and understood. “People are very inquisitive,” went on Madame. “And it is better to let them think you are a friend and guest of ours than the person for whom my son has been advertising. That advertisement of his caused a great deal of comment and curiosity,--and now that he has said he has withdrawn it and that he does not expect to be suited, the gossip will gradually die down. But if any idea had got about that _you_ were the result of his search for an assistant, you would find yourself in an embarrassing position. You would be asked no end of questions, and our charming Baroness Rousillon would be one of the first to make mischief--but thanks to your admirable self-control she is silenced.” “Will anything silence her?” and Dimitrius, entering, stood for a moment looking at his mother and Diana with a smile. “I doubt it! But Miss May is not at all the kind of woman the Baroness would take as suitable for a scientific doctor’s assistant,--fortunately. She is not old enough.” “Not old enough?” and Diana laughed. “Why, what age ought I to be?”