“His door,” it occurred to her for the first time, “was at right angles to mine.” Miss Holland was gasping. “He used to stumble about on the landing, and sometimes, poor dear, be sick.” “Dear, dear, dear! It was a most extraordinary establishment. But I think the oddest thing is that you should not have made fast the door.” “I suppose so. But I would trust Tommy O’Laughlin drunk or sober, now I come to think of it.... He never paid his bills, poor dear, and he borrowed.” “He must have been a worthless creature.” “He was a gentleman, Tommy was, and a dear. Though he once embarrassed me frightfully. It was at dinner. Of course he was intoxicated, though not looking so. In the midst of a long tirade about Home Rule he burst into tears and said if he had only seen Miss Henderson earlier in his life he would have been a different fellow.” “No doubt he admired you immensely!” “I’d never spoken to him.” Miss Holland laughed wisely, but a little scornfully. No châtelaine, of course, would boast of scalps. “He was married!” “Dear, dear!” breathed Miss Holland. “Trying for a divorce.” “Dear, dear, _dear_!” 5 Miriam awoke in the darkness abruptly. About her were the images that had filled her mind when Miss Holland’s candle had gone out. She regarded them sleepily, wondering what could so soon have called her back. What was calling her now, urgently, out from the thickness of sleep. She stirred and woke completely. “Are you awake?” Miss Holland’s voice coming anxious and reproachful through the stillness was added to the minute unmistakable irritations. “Yes, are you? I mean are you being devoured alive?” “Indeed, indeed, I _am_,” wailed Miss Holland. “It is a _disaster_.” “It’s weird,” said Miriam, lunging. “Where can they all come from? I’m going to get up.” “Indeed, that is all we can do. Light candles and make instant warfare.” “I’m so sleepy. I think I shall change in the dark.” “I fear that will be useless,” groaned Miss Holland, striking a match. “I fear, I fear the worst.” Out on the green floor and with the two candles cheerfully gleaming.... Alone such an adventure would have been misery. She grew interested in following Miss Holland’s instructions, and was almost disappointed when the white expanse of her bed offered no further prey. “Seven,” she announced. “All drowned?” asked Miss Holland suspiciously. “Mm, poor things.” “I fear I do not share your solicitude,” chuckled Miss Holland. “Well, perhaps I associate them with summer. In a London summer there are always one or two, having their little day. I’ve tried once or twice to keep still and endure.” “And then?” “I shake my nightgown out of the window, but always feel mean.” “You are _most_ tender-hearted.” “I agree with the Frenchman, ‘_ce n’est point la piqûre dont je me plains, c’est le promenade._’” “You speak French delightfully, toote ah fay kom oon Parisienne.”