Sir Peter and Mr. Brooke-Hoskyn both sidled up to Madame, while Mrs. Poskett stood utterly neglected and looked on with the air of an injured saint.
"May I not offer you my escort?" said both gentlemen in one breath.
"O no!" laughed Madame. "I have Nanette. Nothing can happen to me while I have Nanette."
"As if anything ever could happen in Chiswick!" said Mrs. Poskett, a little spitefully.
Madame signalled to Nanette to lead the way, and followed her past the Eyesore and out of the Walk, convoyed by the gallant Admiral as far as the corner, where he stood looking after her an appreciable time.
Meanwhile Marjolaine had run up to the railings of Number Three where Miss Ruth Pennymint was sewing in the window.
"Miss Ruth," she cried, "is Barbara busy?"
Miss Ruth looked up from her work with a smile as she saw the eager young face. "She's closeted with Doctor Johnson."
"Will you ask her to come out when she's done?" and Marjolaine came back to the tree. Basil rose from his seat. "Pray don't move," said the young girl, prettily, "Barbara will be here in a moment. She is with Doctor Johnson."
Basil's face was very grave. It looked almost like the face of a man who finds himself in the presence of a great tragedy; or of one who knows he is fighting an insuperable obstacle. "Ah, yes," he sighed, "Doctor Johnson. Surely that is very pathetic." And he turned away and leant disconsolately against the railings, with his eyes fixed on the door of Number Three.