“The property,” said the lawyer, resuming his seat, “has been left to you two jointly. I take it you came to see me to ask—not so much what that means as where you each come in.” The two nodded, and Pomeroy crossed his legs. “Well, first let me tell you what it means. It means that each of you is absolute owner of Les Iles d’Or and all the villa contains—subject only to the other’s right. Each of you can take possession as and when you please, invite what guests, install what servants you like. Neither of you can exclude the other. If A is there, and B decides to come, A can’t exclude B—or his servants or his ox or his ass or anything that is his. B has a co-equal right. Very well. The only way to enjoy a property so held is to make and abide by an arrangement. The obvious and most simple way is for each to agree to use it for half the year.”
Miss Seneschal frowned.
“My plans,” she said, “are rather unsettled. I don’t think I want to bind myself . . .”
“I agree,” said Pomeroy. “The Biarritz feelin’ is apt to come with a rush. An’ supposin’ one chose the wrong half.”
“Supposing,” said Belinda dreamily, “supposing, to begin with, we took it for three months each. This is March. Well, you have it till the end of June, and I’ll have it from then to October. Then if that works——”
“Nothing doing,” said Captain Pomeroy. Belinda started, and Forsyth’s hand flew to his mouth. “The Biarritz season is short, but it’s very sweet.”
“When is the season?” said Forsyth.
“Well, there are really two seasons,” said Belinda. “The Spring season and——”
“Yes, you can have that one,” said Pomeroy. “What about July nach September?”
“Oh, of course it’s more crowded then,” admitted Belinda, “but to my mind the pleasantest time is in the Spring.”