"May I be allowed to speak to him, _mem-sahib ?_" he asked.
She turned to him thankfully.

"Yes, tell him what I want!" Peter placed himself in front of the stranger.

"The noble lady desires your service," he said.

"Her gracious excellency is waiting." A quiver went through the crouching form.

He seemed to awake, his mind returning as it were from a far distance.