"Yes, laidee!" exclaimed the man, who had overheard Phrida's words. "I see you Dinard—Hotel Royal—eh?" he said with a smile. "Will you buy my lace—seelk lace; ve-ry cheep?"
"I know it's cheap," I laughed; "but we don't want it."
Nevertheless, he placed it upon the little marble-topped table for our inspection, and then bending, he whispered into my ear a question:
"Mee-ster Royle you—eh?"
"Yes," I said, starting.
"I want see you, to-night, alone. Say no-ting to laidee till I see you—outside your hotel eleven o'clock, sare—eh?"
I sat staring at him in blank surprise, but in a low voice I consented.
Then, very cleverly he asked in his normal voice, looking at me with his narrow eyes, with dark brows meeting:
"You no buy at that price—eh? Ah!" and he sighed as he gathered up his wares: "Cheep, laidee—very goot and cheep!"
And bowing, he slung them upon the heavy pile already on his shoulder and stalked away.