MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN The woman closed the hall door and locked it.

Then she led the way to a long, dim drawing-room in which a grate fire was smouldering.

A stand lamp of antique pattern but dimly illuminated the place, which seemed well furnished in an old fashioned way.
"Will not you remove your wraps, Mees--Mees--I do not know ma'm'selle's name." "What is your own name ?" asked Louise, coming closer to gaze earnestly into the other's face.
"I am called Madame Cerise, if it please you." Her voice, while softened to an extent by the French accent, was nevertheless harsh and emotionless.

She spoke as an automaton, slowly, and pausing to choose her words.

The woman was of medium size, slim and straight in spite of many years.