She had always one or other in hand and had apparently on this occasion pointed her lesson at the rare creature on the opposite coast.

I had a vague idea that Boulogne was not a resort of the world's envied; at the same time there might very well have been a strong attraction there even for one of the darlings of fortune.

I could perfectly understand in any case that such a darling should be drawn to Folkestone by Flora Saunt.

But it was not in truth of these things I was thinking; what was uppermost in my mind was a matter which, though it had no sort of keeping, insisted just then on coming out.
"Is it true, Miss Saunt," I suddenly demanded, "that you're so unfortunate as to have had some warning about your beautiful eyes ?" I was startled by the effect of my words; the girl threw back her head, changing colour from brow to chin.

"True?
Who in the world says so ?" I repented of my question in a flash; the way she met it made it seem cruel, and I felt my mother look at me in some surprise.