"It seems to me you have been gone four hours instead of one," he said.
"I have been gone just an hour and seven minutes, you very bad boy!" she answered, playfully. "Now, then, I am at your lordship's service."
"Oh, my beloved, do not speak so to me, even in sport, for you are my queen and I am your subject! Shall we go now?"
"Yes, I have a carriage at the door, with my little luggage in it."
"Come then, love."
They went out together and entered the carriage.
"Drive to the Asterick Hotel," said Craven Kyte to the coachman.
"And tell him to drive slowly, for I wish to talk to you as we go along," she whispered.
"Drive slowly," said Mr. Kyte, giving her order.
"Now, Craven, dear," she said, as they went along, "I wish you to understand that I don't want to stop at the Asterick longer than it will take you to pay your bill and pack your portmanteau."