Bon jour, Philippine,’ I said.

‘Basil,’ she replied, ‘where am I?’

‘Under my roof—your brother’s roof,’ I said.

‘Brother! oh, stow that bosh!’ she said, turning languidly away.

There could not be a doubt of it, Philippa was herself again!

I rose pensively, and wandered out towards the stables.

Covered with white snow over a white macintosh, I met by the coach-house door William, the Sphynx.

The White Groom!

Twiddling a small object, a door-key of peculiar make, in his hand, he grinned stolidly at me.

‘She’s a rum un, squire, your sister, she be,’ chuckled the Sphynx.