"I could 'ave tol' you dat at Monte Carlo," she said dryly, "but to ask you to come to 'er—it's different, dat."
"And yet she has done it——"
"De character of Madame 'as change' a great deal in a few days, mon Jeem."
"Something must have happened. Her position! Think of it, Piquette."
"I do. It is mos' onpleasan'. But I t'ink you would be de very las' person she would sen' for."
"Who then——? Piquette, I——"
She rose, and handed him his message. "You mus' go," she said with a shrug, "an' dere is not much time. But wit' your permission, mon Jeem——" she added firmly, "I will go wit' you."
"You, Piquette!" he stammered dubiously.
But she smiled at him.
"Ah, mon vieux, I s'all not intrude. You know dat, n'est-ce pas? But Madame 'Orton and I, we on'erstan' each oder. Per'aps I can 'elp 'er too. An' where could she go onless to de Boulevard Clichy?"