“That’s all right,” thought Soames, watching her lips, “only she’s pretty cynical.” His knowledge of French was not yet such as to make him grieve that she had not said “ tu .” He slipped his arm round her, and murmured with an effort:

“ Et vous êtes ma belle femme. ”

Annette went off into a little fit of laughter.

“ Oh, non! ” she said. “ Oh, non! ne parlez pas Français, Soames. What is that old lady, your aunt, looking forward to?”

Soames bit his lip. “God knows!” he said; “she’s always saying something;” but he knew better than God.

Suspended Animation