“We are so interested to hear, Miss Pellissier,” she said, “that you have been living in Paris. We shall expect you to tell us all what to wear.”
Anna smiled very faintly, and shook her head.
“I have come from a very unfashionable quarter,” she said, “and I do not think that I have been inside a milliner’s shop for a year. Besides, it is all reversed now, you know. Paris copies London.”
Brendon leaned over confidentially.
“You are in luck, Miss Pellissier,” he declared. “Your success here is absolutely meteoric. Miss Ellicot has spoken to you, the great Mr. Bullding is going to. For five minutes he has been trying to think of something to say. I am not sure, but I believe that he has just thought of something.”
“May I be prepared?” Anna asked. “Which is Mr. Bullding?”
“Stout old gentleman four places down on the left. Look out, it’s coming.”
Anna raised her eyes, and caught the earnest gaze of an elderly gentleman with a double chin, a protuberant under lip, and a snuff-stained coat.
“I was in Paris four years ago,” Mr. Building announced solemnly. “It rained the whole of the time, but we saw all the sights, and the place never seemed dull.”