Being asked, upon that, whether his galloping off again on horseback was another of Mr.Franklin's freaks, I said, "Yes, it was;" and slipped out of it--I think very cleverly--in that way.
Having got over my difficulties with the ladies, I found more difficulties waiting for me when I went back to my own room.

In came Penelope--with the natural sweetness of women--to kiss and make it up again; and--with the natural curiosity of women--to ask another question.

This time she only wanted me to tell her what was the matter with our second housemaid, Rosanna Spearman.
After leaving Mr.Franklin and me at the Shivering Sand, Rosanna, it appeared, had returned to the house in a very unaccountable state of mind.

She had turned (if Penelope was to be believed) all the colours of the rainbow.

She had been merry without reason, and sad without reason.
In one breath she asked hundreds of questions about Mr.Franklin Blake, and in another breath she had been angry with Penelope for presuming to suppose that a strange gentleman could possess any interest for her.