How these wonders had been accomplished in such a short space of time, and by a man, too, would have passed my understanding, had I not begun to know what manner of man the chauffeur was.  And to think that there was a woman in the world who had known herself loved by him, yet had been capable of sending him away!  If he would do such things as these for an acquaintance, at best a “pal,” what would he not do for a woman beloved?  I should have liked to duck that creature under the pump in the court, on just such a nipping night as this.

He had not forgotten my dressing bag, which was on the bed, but I could not stop to open it.  I had to run down to the kitchen again, and tell him what I thought of his miracles.  He was not there, but, at the sound of my voice, he appeared at the door of the court, drying his hands, having doubtless been making his toilet at the accommodating pump.  In the crude light of unshaded paraffin lamps with tin reflectors, he looked tired, and I was sharply reminded of the nervous strain he had gone through in that ordeal on the mountains, but he smiled with the delight of a boy when I burst into thanks.

“It was jolly good exercise, and limbered me up a bit, after sitting with my feet on the brake for so long,” said he.  “May I have my dinner with you?”

My answer was rather enthusiastic, and that seemed to please him, too.  A quarter of an hour later I came down again, having made myself tidy meanwhile, in the room which he had retrieved from the jungle.  Had the landlady but had the ordering of the change, my quarters would have been fifty per cent. less attractive, I was sure, and told my brother so.

We were both starving, but there was too much to do in the dining-room for domestics to expect attention.  As for Monsieur le Chauffeur, he was informed that the presence of a mechanician would be permitted in the salle a manger, though a femme de chambre might not enter there.  I begged him to go, but, of course, I should have been surprised if he had.  “I have a plan worth two of that,” he said to me.  “Do you remember the picnic preparations we brought from Nimes?  It seems about a week ago, but it was only this morning.  We might as well try to eat on a battlefield as in this kitchen, at present, and if we’re kept waiting, we may develop cannibal propensities.  What about a picnic a deux in the glass cage, with electric illuminations?  The water’s still hot in the automatic heater under the floor, and you shall be as warm as toast.  Besides, I’ll grab a jug of blazing soup for a first course, and come back for coffee afterward.”

I clapped my hands as I used to when a child and my fun-loving young parents proposed an open air fete.  “Oh, how too nice!” I cried.  “If you don’t think the Turnours would be angry?”

“I think the labourers are worthy of their hire,” said he.  “I’ll fetch your coat for you.  No, you’re not to come without it.”