"It is one of the misfortunes of my sex," she said, a little bitterly, "that without experience we lack charm—in the eyes of you men, that is to say. It is your own folly…. Are you coming home with me, my friend, or shall I set you down somewhere?"
"As near the Gare du Nord as possible, if you please," Julien begged.
"I have wearied you enough for one afternoon."
Madame Christophor looked at him thoughtfully. There was a slight frown upon her forehead.
"Somewhere near the Gare du Nord!" she repeated.
CHAPTER V
THE FIRST ARTICLE
Julien found Lady Anne in a small, stuffy apartment on the third floor of the house in the Rue St. Antoine. Before her was a sewing-machine, and the floor of the room was littered with oddments of black calico. She herself was seated apparently deep in thought before an untrimmed hat.
"What on earth, my dear Anne," he exclaimed, "are you doing?"
She merely glanced up at his entrance. Her eyes were still far away.
"Don't interrupt," she begged. "I am seeking for an inspiration. In my younger days I used to trim hats. I don't suppose anything I could do would be of any use here, but one must try everything."