"I'm not doing that at the present moment," he said. "I'm living like a beastly hermit—except that I cut my nails and brush my hair occasionally. You've heard about the woman on the yacht, of course?"
Her silence answered him, and he laughed again.
"A lie, chère reine! There was no woman."
"Oh, Charlie!" she said impulsively. "Forgive me for believing it!"
He made a royal gesture. "I forgive you. Moreover, the lie was not without foundation. There was a child on board of the female species,—very small and badly frightened. We saved her between us, Larpent and I. She belongs to Larpent—not to me."
"You mean she is his daughter?" questioned Maud.
"That is exactly what I mean. Dull explanation, isn't it? Larpent was badly damaged. He is undergoing repairs in a nursing home, and the child—well, I've got to look after the child. Figurez-vous, ma chère! I—a protector of infants! Un peu comique, n'est-ce pas?"
"Ah!" Maud said, with compassion. "The poor little thing must come to us.
I will take care of her. When will you bring her?"
"You think her present plight is not to be endured for another moment?" laughed Saltash. "Bien! I will send her to you tomorrow."
"Ah! I don't mean she is not in safe keeping," protested Maud. "How old is she? Older than Eileen?"