Madame seemed a strange chaperon, for she never signified her intention of coming also.
About ten o’clock that night, when in dinner-jacket and black tie I re-entered the Rooms again, I encountered Regnier. He was on his way out, and I followed him.
In the shadow of the trees in the Place I overtook him and spoke.
“Hulloa, Ewart!” he exclaimed, “I saw you this afternoon. Is Bindo here?”
“He’s been, but has returned to London on business.”
“Coming back, I suppose?” he asked. “I haven’t seen anything of any of you of late. All safe, I hope?”
“Up to now, yes,” I laughed. “We’ve been in England a good deal recently. But what I wanted to know was this: You saw me with a little French girl this afternoon. Who is she?”
“Pierrette.”
“Yes, I know her name, but who is she?”
“Oh, a little friend of mine—a very charming little friend.”