I did not know what to do.

Suddenly I found myself saying: "I am extremely sorry, madam, but I don't understand French." An expression of more intense vexation passed into her face--her beautiful face.

I fancy she wished--wished intensely--to give me the benefit of her "_idee a elle_." She made a quick, violent gesture of disgusted contempt, and turned toward the half-open door from which she had come.
She began again to dilate upon the little weaknesses of the person behind, when silently and swiftly it closed.

We heard the lock click.
With extraordinary quickness she had her mouth at the keyhole: "_Peeg, peeg_," she enunciated.

Then she stood to her full height, her face became calm, her manner stately.