“It’s like having your fortune told at a fair,” said Corinna. “But hurry up!” she glanced at her watch. “As it is, I shan’t have time to pay my bill. Will you see after it?” she drew from her bag one of the borrowed notes and threw it across to Martin. “Well, I am all attention. I can give you three minutes.” But just then a familiar sound of scrunching wheels came through the open doors of the vestibule and dining-room. She started. “That’s the omnibus going.” “The omnibus gone,” said Fortinbras. “I’ll miss my train.” “You will,” said Fortinbras. “My luggage has gone with it.” “It has not,” said Fortinbras. “I gave instructions that it should not be brought down.” Corinna gasped. “Of all the cool impertinence——!” She looked at her watch again. “And the beastly thing has started long before its time!” “At my request,” said Fortinbras. “And now, as there is no possibility of your getting away from Brantôme for several hours, perhaps you might, with profit, abandon your attitude of indignation and listen to the voice of reason.” “By the way,” said Martin, “have you had your _petit déjeuner_?” “No,” said Corinna sullenly. “Good God!” cried Fortinbras, holding up his hands, “and they let women run about loose!” CHAPTER VIII CORINNA fortified by urgently summoned nourishment lit a cigarette and sarcastically announced her readiness to listen to the oracle. The oracle bowed with his customary benevolence and spoke for a considerable time in florid though unambiguous terms. To say that Corinna was surprised by the proposal which he set before her would inadequately express her indignant stupefaction. She sat angry, with reddened cheek-bones and tightly screwed lips, perfectly silent, letting the wretched man complete his amazing pronouncement before she should annihilate him. He was still pronouncing, however, when Bigourdin appeared at the door. Fortinbras broke off in the middle of a sentence and called him into the room. “My good Gaspard,” said he, in French, for Bigourdin knew little English, “I am suggesting to mademoiselle a scheme for her perfect happiness of which I have reason to know you will approve. Sit down and join our conclave.” “I approve of everything in advance,” said the huge man, with a smile. “Then I suppose you’re aware of this delicious scheme?” she asked. “Not at all,” said he; “but I have boundless confidence in my brother-in-law.” “His idea is that I should enter your employment as a kind of forewoman in your _fabrique_.” “But that is famous!” exclaimed Bigourdin, with a sparkle in his eyes. “It could only enter into that wise head yonder. The trade is getting beyond Félise and myself. Sooner or later I must get some one, a woman, to take charge of the manufacturing department. I have told Daniel my difficulties and he comes now with this magnificent solution. _Car c’est vraiment magnifique._” He beamed all over his honest face.