“Typical behaviour,” said the chaplain, as he quitted the carriage. “In the presence of reality that kind of person invariably breaks down.”

“What does he know?” whispered Lucy as soon as they were alone. “Charlotte, how much does Mr. Eager know?”

“Nothing, dearest; he knows nothing. But⁠—” she pointed at the driver⁠—“ he knows everything. Dearest, had we better? Shall I?” She took out her purse. “It is dreadful to be entangled with low-class people. He saw it all.” Tapping Phaethon’s back with her guidebook, she said, “ Silenzio! ” and offered him a franc.

“ Va bene ,” he replied, and accepted it. As well this ending to his day as any. But Lucy, a mortal maid, was disappointed in him.