’Withpleasure，Monsieur。’
Thereuponthewomanwithdrewandlefthimtolookattheroom。Itwasthepatternofroomalwaystobefoundinsuchahouse。Cool，dull，anddark。Waxedfloorveryslippery。Aroomnotlargeenoughtoskatein；noradaptedtotheeasypursuitofanyotheroccupation。Redandwhitecurtainedwindows，littlestrawmat，littleroundtablewithatumultuousassemblageoflegsunderneath，clumsyrush-bottomedchairs，twogreatredvelvetarm-chairsaffordingplentyofspacetobeuncomfortablein，bureau，chimney-
glassinseveralpiecespretendingtobeinonepiece，pairofgaudyvasesofveryartificialflowers；betweenthemaGreekwarriorwithhishelmetoff，sacrificingaclocktotheGeniusofFrance。
Aftersomepause，adoorofcommunicationwithanotherroomwasopened，andaladyentered。ShemanifestedgreatsurpriseonseeingClennam，andherglancewentroundtheroominsearchofsomeoneelse。
’Pardonme，MissWade。Iamalone。’