There was a sound in the room and he opened his eyes to find Marie-Louise on the ladder which gave access to the shelves of the great bookcases which lined the walls. She had not seen him, and she was singing softly to herself. In the dimness the color of her hair and gown gave a stained-glass effect against a background of high square east window.
Richard sat up. What was she singing?
"I think she was the most beautiful lady
That ever was in the West Country,
But beauty vanishes, beauty passes,
However rare, rare it be.
And when I am gone, who shall remember
That lady of the West Country? "
"Marie-Louise," he asked so suddenly that she nearly fell off of the shelves, "where did you learn that song?"
"From Mistress Anne."
"When you sing it do you think of—her?"
"Yes. Do you?"
"Yes."
Marie-Louise sat down on the top step of the ladder. "Dr. Dicky, may I ask a question?"
"Yes."