She nodded again pregnantly.
“Vampires! They will prey on the lowly of their kind. Oh, it is infamous! My cousin, le bon Gaspard, saw a dish of theirs once in Barbade—le Maure dans le bain, they called it—a slave’s head served in sauce. This will be unknown to moogsieur?”
“Unquestionably.”
“It is possible. It is possible, also, that gentlemen who travel incognito may learn some vulgar truths. I accept your ignorance in proof of your aristocracy. Those who sit in high places look only at the stars.”
“You alarm me, madame. Indeed, I remember now that in my country it is possible to procure for eating ‘ladies’ fingers.’”
“Oh, the barbarians! Is it not as I said?”
Ned rose.
“May I suggest to madame that I have not yet seen my bedroom?”
“Plaît-il, doncg? if it will give you any gratification. But there is company there at present.”
The gentleman stared. Madame van Roon backed from the doorway, gave an inaudible direction, and disappeared. The solemn girl took her place.