"I did not tell you, Madame," said Harry, "that I happen to know something of Captain Aglionby."
"Indeed! nothing but what is perfectly odious, I am sure."
"I have reason to believe that he was concerned in an attempt to ship me to our plantations in Barbados. My man tells me——"
"Monsieur," interrupted the girl, "my mother is subject to chills. You are staying with us to-night; will you hasten to the house with my mother and tell us the story at supper?"
"With pleasure, Mademoiselle."
Harry felt a little in awe of this very decisive young lady, with her scornful lip and clear uncompromising tones. She hurried in advance to the house, and was waiting in the panelled dining-room when the others appeared. The table looked very inviting with its spotless napery, shining plate, and vases of flowers, and Harry found the meal much to his taste after the plain fare of Dutch hostelries. Besides such staple viands as Westphalian ham and bag-puddings—one variety of these, filled with raisins and spices, was excellent—there were dainty French dishes—confections of fruit and cream which surprised even Madame la Comtesse.
"Ah, you rogue!" she exclaimed; "I see now where you hid yourself this afternoon."
"Mademoiselle likes cooking?" Harry ventured to say.
"By no means, Monsieur, I dislike it exceedingly."
"Oh!"