"There's the luggage-cart," he said.

"The luggage-cart!" cried Germaine contemptuously.

"The very thing!" said the millionaire. "I'll drive it myself. Off
you go, Firmin; harness a horse to it."

Firmin went clumping out of the hall.

It was perhaps as well that he went, for the Duke asked what time it
was; and since the watches of Germaine and her father differed
still, there ensued an altercation in which, had Firmin been there,
he would doubtless have taken part.

The Duke cut it short by saying: "Well, I don't think I'll wait to
see you start for the station. It won't take you more than half an
hour. The cart is light. You needn't start yet. I'd better get off
as soon as the car is ready. It isn't as though I could trust it."

"One moment," said Germaine. "Is there a dining-car on the train?
I'm not going to be starved as well as have my night's rest cut to
pieces."

"Of course there isn't a dining-car," snapped her father. "We must
eat something now, and take something with us."

"Sonia, Irma, quick! Be off to the larder and see what you can find.
Tell Mother Firmin to make an omelette. Be quick!"

Sonia went towards the door of the hall, followed by Irma.