"No, I never know when people are singing flat or not. I have no ear
for music. I only know when I like to hear a person's voice. I have no
accomplishments, you know," said Netty, with a little humble drawing-in
of the shoulders.

"Ah!" said Deulin, with a gesture which conveyed quite clearly his
opinion that she had need of none. And he turned to greet Miss Mangles
and her brother.

Miss Mangles received him coldly. Even the greatest of women is liable
to feminine moments, and may know when she is not looking her best. She
shook hands, with her platform bow--from the waist--and passed on.

"Hallo!" said Joseph Mangles. "Got here before us? Thought you'd turn
up. Dismal place, eh?"

"You have just arrived, I suppose?" said Deulin.

"Oh, please don't laugh at us!" broke in Netty. "Of course you can see
that. You must know that we have just come out of a sleeping-car!"

"You always look, mademoiselle, as if you had come straight from
heaven," answered Deulin, looking at Miss Cahere, whose hand was at her
hair. It was pretty hair and a pretty, slim, American hand. But she did
not seem to hear, for she had turned away quickly and was speaking to
her uncle. Deulin accompanied them along the corridor, which is a long
one, for the Hotel de l'Europe is a huge quadrangle.

"You startled me by your sudden appearance, you know," she said, turning
again to the Frenchman, which was probably intended for an explanation