He told Sir Rodwell the story of how they had met in the salle a manger of the hotel the impresario of a Concert in the town, who had in his hand the doctor's certificate of the incapacity of the chief cantatrice to appear, and waved it, within a step of suicide.

'Well, to be brief, my wife--"noble dame Anglaise," as the man announced her on the Concert platform, undertook one of the songs, and sang another of her own-pure contralto voice, as you will say; with the result that there was a perfect tumult of enthusiasm.

Next day, the waiters of the hotel presented her with a bouquet of Spring flowers, white, and central violets.

It was in the Paris papers, under the heading: Une amie d'outre Manche--I think that was it ?' he asked Nataly.
'I forget,' said she.
He glanced at her: a cloud had risen.

He rallied her, spoke of the old Norman silver cross which the manager of the Concert had sent, humbly imploring her to accept the small memento of his gratitude.