“At the station!” exclaimed Madame, smiling grimly. “Then perhaps you have nothing.”
“Oh, I think it’s quite safe, don’t you—?”
“Yes—maybe—since it is England. And you think a hundred and twenty pounds is enough?”
“What for?”
“To satisfy Ciccio.”
“I wasn’t thinking of him,” cried Alvina.
“No?” said Madame ironically. “I can propose it to him. Wait one moment.” She went to the door and called Ciccio.
He entered, looking not very good-tempered.
“Be so good, my dear,” said Madame to him, “to go to the station and fetch Miss Houghton’s little bag. You have got the ticket, have you?” Alvina handed the luggage ticket to Madame. “Midland Railway,” said Madame. “And, Ciccio, you are listening—? Mind! There is a hundred and twenty pounds of Miss Houghton’s money in the bag. You hear? Mind it is not lost.”
“It’s all I have,” said Alvina.