"If madame desires, I can report madame is away," he offered.
It was all one to him. It was all one to every one else in the world but herself. No one was interested. She was alone. Then why had not Monte himself let her alone? That was the point, but to determine that it was necessary to see him.
It was possible he had come merely by chance. It was possible he had come to see Peter, not knowing that Peter had gone. It was possible he had returned this way in order to take the Mediterranean route home. On the face of it, anything was more probable than that he had come deliberately to see her.
"You will ask monsieur to wait, and I will be down in a few moments," she replied to the boy.
She called to Marie.
"I have a caller," she announced nervously. "You must make me look as young as possible."
Even if she had grown old inside, there was no reason why she should reveal her secret.
"I am glad," nodded Marie. "Madame should put on a white gown and wear a ribbon in her hair."
"A ribbon!" exclaimed madame. "That would look absurd."
"You shall see."