“She began to turn purple when Sir Samuel would have defended you, and said she wouldn’t stand your taking such liberties.  That it was monstrous, and a few other things, to be kept freezing on mountains by one’s domestics, and that she should be ill if she waited.  Sir Samuel persuaded her to give you fifteen minutes’ grace, but after that she was determined to start.  Of course, she didn’t know that an accident had happened.  She thought you were simply dawdling, and wanted Sir Samuel to arrange for you to drive down with the newly arrived German tourists.  Sir Samuel and I objected to this, and later it was settled for the Turnours to do what her ladyship planned for you, without the company of the tourists.  Lady Turnour resents lese-majeste.”

“It’s a miracle she consented to leave the car,” I said.

“She couldn’t use it without a chauffeur, and naturally I refused to go without knowing what had happened to you.”

“You refused!” I stammered.

“Of course.  That was where the row came in.  We had a few words, and eventually I was deputed to look you up.”

“Deputed!” I echoed, desperately.  “They never ‘deputed’ you to do it, I’m sure.”

“They jolly well couldn’t help themselves.  You can’t make a man drive a car if he won’t.  So they went off in the Germans’ carriage, and the Germans were enchanted.”

“Oh!” I exclaimed, so miserable now that anger leaked out of my heart like water through a sieve.  “It’s all my fault.  Did they discharge you?”

“I didn’t give them the chance.  After a few little things her ladyship said, I felt rather hot in the collar, and discharged myself.  That is, I gave them notice that I would go as soon as they could get another chauffeur.  It would have been bad form to leave them in the lurch, without anyone, on tour.”

The tears came to my eyes, and I was thinking so little about myself that I let them roll down without bothering to wipe them away.  “Do, do forgive me,” I implored.  “But you never can, of course.  All through my foolishness you’re out of an engagement.  And you depended upon it, I know, from what you said.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, my dear little sister,” he said.  “It’s you who must forgive me, if I’ve distressed you by telling the story in a clumsy way.  It wasn’t your fault.  I couldn’t stand that bounderess’s cruel tongue, so I have myself to blame, if anyone.  And it’s sure to turn out right in the end.”

“You refused to drive their car because you would stay behind and find me—­”

“Any decent chap would do that—­even a chauffeur.”  He spoke lightly to comfort me.  “Besides, I wanted to stop.  You’re the only sister I ever had.”

“You must hate me,” I moaned.

“I don’t.  Please don’t cry.  I shall faint if you do.”

I was obliged to laugh a little through my tears.

“Come,” he said, gently.  “Let me take you down.  Just a word with the guide about those gipsies, and—­”