ThePrologue.
THESTREETOFTHEBLANKWALL.
HISEVENINGOUT.
THELESSON.
SYLVIAOFTHELETTERS.
THEFAWNGLOVES.
MALVINAOFBRITTANY.
THEPREFACE.
TheDoctorneverdidbelievethisstory，butclaimsforitthat，toagreatextent，ithasalteredhiswholeoutlookonlife.
\"Ofcourse，whatactuallyhappened——whattookplaceundermyownnose，\"continuedtheDoctor，\"Idonotdispute.AndthenthereisthecaseofMrs.Marigold.Thatwasunfortunate，Iadmit，andstillis，especiallyforMarigold.But，standingbyitself，itprovesnothing.Thesefluffy，gigglingwomen——asoftenasnotitisamereshellthattheyshedwiththeirfirstyouth——oneneverknowswhatisunderneath.Withregardtotheothers，thewholethingrestsuponasimplescientificbasis.Theideawas’intheair，’aswesay——apassingbrain—wave.Andwhenithadworkeditselfouttherewasanendofit.AsforallthisJack—and—the—Beanstalktomfoolery——\"
Therecamefromthedarkeninguplandsthesoundofalostsoul.Itroseandfellanddiedaway.
\"Blowingstones，\"explainedtheDoctor，stoppingtorefillhispipe.
\"Onefindsthemintheseparts.Hollowedoutduringtheglacialperiod.Alwaysjustabouttwilightthatonehearsit.Rushofaircausedbysuddensinkingofthetemperature.That’showallthesesortofideasgetstarted.\"
TheDoctor，havinglithispipe，resumedhisstride.
\"Idon’tsay，\"continuedtheDoctor，\"thatitwouldhavehappenedwithouthercoming.Undoubtedlyitwasshewhosuppliedthenecessarypsychicconditions.Therewasthatabouther——asortofatmosphere.ThatquaintarchaicFrenchofhers——KingArthurandtheroundtableandMerlin;itseemedtorecreateitall.Anartfulminx，thatistheonlyexplanation.Butwhileshewaslookingatyou，outofthatcuriousaloofnessofhers——\"
TheDoctorleftthesentenceuncompleted.
\"AsforoldLittlecherry，\"theDoctorbeganagainquitesuddenly，\"that’shisspeciality——folklore，occultism，allthatflummery.IfyouknockedathisdoorwiththeoriginalSleepingBeautyonyourarmhe’donlyfussroundherwithcushionsandhopethatshe’dhadagoodnight.Foundaseedonce——chippeditoutofanoldfossil，andgrewitinapotinhisstudy.Aboutthemostdilapidatedweedyoueversaw.Talkedaboutitasifhehadre—discoveredtheElixirofLife.Evenifhedidn’tsayanythinginactuallysomanywords，therewasthewayhewentabout.Thatofitselfwasenoughtohavestartedthewholething，tosaynothingofthatloonyoldIrishhousekeeperofhis，withherheadstuffedfullofelvesandbansheesandtheLordknowswhat.\"
AgaintheDoctorlapsedintosilence.Onebyonethelightsofthevillagepeepedupwardoutofthedepths.Along，lowlineoflight，creepinglikesomeluminousdragonacrossthehorizon，showedthetrackoftheGreatWesternexpressmovingstealthilytowardsSwindon.
\"Itwasaltogetheroutofthecommon，\"continuedtheDoctor，\"quiteoutofthecommon，thewholething.ButifyouaregoingtoacceptoldLittlecherry’sexplanationofit——\"
TheDoctorstruckhisfootagainstalonggreystone，halfhiddeninthegrass，andonlyjustsavedhimselffromfalling.
\"Remainsofsomeoldcromlech，\"explainedtheDoctor.\"Somewhereabouthere，ifweweretodigdown，weshouldfindawitheredbundleofbonescrouchingoverthedustofaprehistoricluncheon—basket.
Interestingneighbourhood！\"
Thedescentwasrough.TheDoctordidnottalkagainuntilwehadreachedtheoutskirtsofthevillage.
\"Iwonderwhat’sbecomeofthem？\"musedtheDoctor.\"Arumgo，thewholething.Ishouldliketohavegottothebottomofit.\"
WehadreachedtheDoctor’sgate.TheDoctorpusheditopenandpassedin.Heseemedtohaveforgottenme.
\"Atakinglittleminx，\"Iheardhimmutteringtohimselfashefumbledwiththedoor.\"Andnodoubtmeantwell.Butasforthatcock—and—bullstory——\"
IpiecedittogetherfromtheutterlydivergentversionsfurnishedmebytheProfessorandtheDoctor，assisted，sofaraslaterincidentsareconcerned，byknowledgecommontothevillage.
I.THESTORY.
Itcommenced，soIcalculate，abouttheyear2OOOB.C.，or，tobemoreprecise——forfiguresarenotthestrongpointoftheoldchroniclers——whenKingHeremonruledoverIrelandandHarbundiawasQueenoftheWhiteLadiesofBrittany，thefairyMalvinabeingherfavouriteattendant.ItiswithMalvinathatthisstoryischieflyconcerned.Variousquitepleasanthappeningsarerecordedtohercredit.TheWhiteLadiesbelongedtothe\"goodpeople，\"and，onthewhole，liveduptotheirreputation.ButinMalvina，sidebysidewithmuchthatiscommendable，thereappearstohaveexistedamostreprehensiblespiritofmischief，displayingitselfinpranksthat，excusable，oratalleventsunderstandable，in，say，apixyorapigwidgeon，strikeoneasaltogetherunworthyofawell—principledWhiteLady，posingasthefriendandbenefactressofmankind.Formerelyrefusingtodancewithher——atmidnight，bytheshoresofamountainlake;neitherthetimenortheplacecalculatedtoappealtoanelderlygentleman，sufferingpossiblyfromrheumatism——sheononeoccasiontransformedaneminentlyrespectableproprietoroftinminesintoanightingale，necessitatingachangeofhabitsthattoabusinessmanmusthavebeensingularlyirritating.Onanotheroccasionaquiteimportantqueen，havinghadthemisfortunetoquarrelwithMalvinaoversomeabsurdpointofetiquetteinconnectionwithalizard，seems，onwakingthenextmorning，tohavefoundherselfchangedintowhatonejudges，fromthesomewhatvaguedescriptionaffordedbytheancientchroniclers，tohavebeenasortofvegetablemarrow.
Suchchanges，accordingtotheProfessor，whoispreparedtomaintainthatevidenceofanhistoricalnatureexistssufficienttoprovethattheWhiteLadiesformedatonetimeanactuallivingcommunity，mustbetakeninanallegoricalsense.Justasmodernlunaticsbelievethemselvestobechinavasesorpoll—parrots，andthinkandbehaveassuch，soitmusthavebeeneasy，theProfessorargues，forbeingsofsuperiorintelligencetohaveexertedhypnoticinfluenceuponthesuperstitioussavagesbywhomtheyweresurrounded，andwho，intellectuallyconsidered，couldhavebeenlittlemorethanchildren.
\"TakeNebuchadnezzar.\"IamstillquotingtheProfessor.\"Nowadaysweshouldputhimintoastrait—waistcoat.HadhelivedinNorthernEuropeinsteadofSouthernAsia，legendwouldhavetoldushowsomeKoboldorStromkarlhadturnedhimintoacompositeamalgamationofaserpent，acatandakangaroo.\"Bethatasitmay，thispassionforchange——inotherpeople——seemstohavegrownuponMalvinauntilshemusthavebecomelittleshortofapublicnuisance，andeventuallyitlandedherintrouble.
TheincidentisuniqueintheannalsoftheWhiteLadies，andthechroniclersdwelluponitwithevidentsatisfaction.ItcameaboutthroughthebetrothalofKingHeremon’sonlyson，PrinceGerbot，tothePrincessBerchtaofNormandy.Malvinaseemstohavesaidnothing，buttohavebidedhertime.TheWhiteLadiesofBrittany，itmustberemembered，werenotfairiespureandsimple.Undercertainconditionstheywerecapableofbecomingwomen，andthisfact，onetakesit，musthaveexertedadisturbinginfluenceupontheirrelationshipswitheligiblemalemortals.PrinceGerbotmaynothavebeenaltogetherblameless.Youngmeninthosesadlyunenlighteneddaysmaynot，intheirdealingswithladies，whiteorotherwise，havealwaysbeenthesoulofdiscretionandpropriety.
Onewouldliketothinkthebestofher.
Buteventhebestisindefensible.Onthedayappointedfortheweddingsheseemstohavesurpassedherself.IntowhatparticularshapeorformshealteredthewretchedPrinceGerbot;orintowhatshapeorformshepersuadedhimthathehadbeenaltered，itreally，sofarasthemoralresponsibilityofMalvinaisconcerned，seemstobeimmaterial;thechronicledoesnotstate：evidentlysomethingtooindelicateforaself—respectingchroniclertoevenhintat.
As，judgingfromotherpassagesinthebook，squeamishnessdoesnotseemtohavebeentheauthor’sliteraryfailing，thesensitivereadercanfeelonlygratefulfortheomission.Itwouldhavebeenaltogethertooharrowing.
Ithad，ofcourse，fromMalvina’spointofview，thedesiredeffect.
ThePrincessBerchtaappearstohavegivenonelookandthentohavefallenfaintingintothearmsofherattendants.Themarriagewaspostponedindefinitely，andMalvina，onesadlysuspects，chortled.
Hertriumphwasshort—lived.
Unfortunatelyforher，KingHeremonhadalwaysbeenapatronoftheartsandscienceofhisperiod.Amonghisfriendsweretobereckonedmagicians，genii，theNineKorrigansorFaysofBrittany——
allsortsofpartiescapableofexertinginfluence，and，aseventsproved，onlytoowilling.AmbassadorswaiteduponQueenHarbundia;
andHarbundia，evenhadshewished，asonmanypreviousoccasions，tostandbyherfavourite，hadnoalternative.ThefairyMalvinawascalledupontoreturntoPrinceGerbothisproperbodyandallthereincontained.
Sheflatlyrefused.Aself—willed，obstinatefairy，sufferingfromswelledhead.Andthentherewasthatpersonalnote.MerelythatheshouldmarrythePrincessBerchta！ShewouldseeKingHeremon，andAnniamus，inhissillyoldwizard’srobe，andtheFaysofBrittany，andalltherestofthem——！AreallyniceWhiteLadymaynothavecaredtofinishthesentence，eventoherself.Oneimaginestheflashofthefairyeye，thestampofthefairyfoot.
Whatcouldtheydotoher，anyofthem，withalltheirclackingoftonguesandtheirwaggingofheads？She，animmortalfairy！ShewouldchangePrinceGerbotbackatatimeofherownchoosing.Letthemattendtotheirowntricksandleavehertomindhers.OnepictureslongwalksandtalksbetweenthedistractedHarbundiaandherrefractoryfavourite——appealstoreason，tosentiment：\"Formysake.\"\"Don’tyousee？\"\"Afterall，dear，andevenifhedid.\"
ItseemstohaveendedbyHarbundialosingallpatience.OnethingtherewasshecoulddothatMalvinaseemseithernottohaveknownofornottohaveanticipated.AsolemnmeetingoftheWhiteLadieswasconvenedforthenightofthemidsummermoon.Theplaceofmeetingisdescribedbytheancientchroniclerswithmorethantheirusualexactitude.ItwasonthelandthatthemagicianKalybhad，agesago，raisedupaboveallBrittanytoformthegraveofKingTaramis.The\"SeaoftheSevenIslands\"laytothenorth.OneguessesittobetheridgeformedbytheArreeMountains.\"TheLadyoftheFountain\"appearstohavebeenpresent，suggestingthedeepgreenpoolfromwhichtheriverD’Argenttakesitssource.Roughlyspeaking，onewouldplaceithalfwaybetweenthemoderntownsofMorlaixandCallac.Pedestrians，evenofthepresentday，speakofthestilllonelinessofthathighplateau，treeless，houseless，withnosignofhumanhandtherebutthathigh，toweringmonolithroundwhichtheshrillwindsmoanincessantly.There，possiblyonsomebrokenfragmentofthosegreatgreystones，QueenHarbundiasatinjudgment.Andthejudgmentwas——andfromittherewasnoappeal—
—thatthefairyMalvinashouldbecastoutfromamongthecommunityoftheWhiteLadiesofBrittany.Overthefaceoftheearthsheshouldwander，aloneandunforgiven.Solemnlyfromthebookoftheroll—calloftheWhiteLadiesthenameofMalvinawasstruckoutforever.
TheblowmusthavefallenuponMalvinaasheavilyasitwasunexpected.Withoutaword，withoutonebackwardlook，sheseemstohavedeparted.Onepicturesthewhite，frozenface，thewide—open，unseeingeyes，thetrembling，uncertainsteps，thegropinghands，thedeathlikesilenceclinginglikegrave—clothesroundabouther.
FromthatnightthefairyMalvinadisappearsfromthebookofthechroniclersoftheWhiteLadiesofBrittany，fromlegendandfromfolklorewhatsoever.ShedoesnotappearagaininhistorytilltheyearA.D.1914.
II.HOWITCAMEABOUT.
ItwasonaneveningtowardstheendofJune，1914，thatFlightCommanderRaffleton，temporarilyattachedtotheFrenchSquadronthenharbouredatBrest，receivedinstructionsbywirelesstoreturnatoncetotheBritishAirServiceHeadquartersatFarnborough，inHampshire.Thenight，thankstoagloriousfullmoon，wouldaffordallthelightherequired，andyoungRaffletondeterminedtosetoutatonce.HeappearstohavelefttheflyinggroundjustoutsidethearsenalatBrestaboutnineo’clock.AlittlebeyondHuelgoathebegantoexperiencetroublewiththecarburettor.HisideaatfirstwastopushontoLannion，wherehewouldbeabletosecureexpertassistance;butmattersonlygettingworse，andnoticingbeneathhimaconvenientstretchoflevelground，hedecidedtodescendandattendtoithimself.Healightedwithoutdifficultyandproceededtoinvestigate.Thejobtookhim，unaided，longerthanhehadanticipated.Itwasawarm，closenight，withhardlyabreathofwind，andwhenhehadfinishedhewasfeelinghotandtired.Hehaddrawnonhishelmetandwasonthepointofsteppingintohisseat，whenthebeautyofthenightsuggestedtohimthatitwouldbepleasant，beforestartingoffagain，tostretchhislegsandcoolhimselfalittle.Helitacigarandlookedroundabouthim.
Theplateauonwhichhehadalightedwasatable—landstandinghighabovethesurroundingcountry.Itstretchedaroundhim，treeless，houseless.Therewasnothingtobreakthelinesofthehorizonbutagroupofgauntgreystones，theremains，sohetoldhimself，ofsomeancientmenhir，commonenoughtothelonelydesertlandsofBrittany.Ingeneralthestoneslieoverthrownandscattered，butthisparticularspecimenhadbysomestrangechanceremainedundisturbedthroughallthecenturies.Mildlyinterested，FlightCommanderRaffletonstrolledleisurelytowardsit.Themoonwasatitszenith.Howstillthequietnightmusthavebeenwasimpresseduponhimbythefactthathedistinctlyheard，andcounted，thestrokesofachurchclockwhichmusthavebeenatleastsixmilesaway.Herememberslookingathiswatchandnotingthattherewasaslightdifferencebetweenhisownandthechurchtime.Hemadeiteightminutespasttwelve.Withthedyingawayofthelastvibrationsofthedistantbellthesilenceandthesolitudeoftheplaceseemedtoreturnandsettledownuponitwithincreasedinsistence.Whilehewasworkingithadnottroubledhim，butbesidetheblackshadowsthrownbythosehoarystonesithadtheeffectalmostofapresence.Itwaswithasenseofreliefthathecontemplatedreturningtohismachineandstartinguphisengine.
Itwouldwhirandbuzzandgivebacktohimacomfortablefeelingoflifeandsecurity.Hewouldwalkroundthestonesjustonceandthenbeoff.ItwaswonderfulhowtheyhaddefiedoldTime.Astheyhadbeenplacedthere，quitepossiblytenthousandyearsago，sotheystillstood，thealtarofthatvast，emptysky—roofedtemple.Andwhilehewasgazingatthem，hiscigarbetweenhislips，strugglingwithastrangeforgottenimpulsethatwastuggingathisknees，therecamefromtheveryheartofthegreatgreystonesthemeasuredriseandfallofasoft，evenbreathing.
YoungRaffletonfranklyconfessesthathisfirstimpulsewastocutandrun.Onlyhissoldier’strainingkepthisfeetfirmontheheather.Ofcourse，theexplanationwassimple.Someanimalhadmadetheplaceitsnest.Butthenwhatanimalwaseverknowntosleepsosoundlyasnottobedisturbedbyhumanfootsteps？Ifwounded，andsounabletoescape，itwouldnotbebreathingwiththatquiet，softregularity，contrastingsostrangelywiththestillnessandthesilenceallround.Possiblyanowl’snest.Youngowletsmakethatsortofnoise——the\"snorers，\"socountrypeoplecallthem.YoungRaffletonthrewawayhiscigarandwentdownuponhiskneestogropeamongtheshadows，and，doingso，hetouchedsomethingwarmandsoftandyielding.
Butitwasn’tanowl.Hemusthavetouchedherverylightly，foreventhenshedidnotwake.Shelaytherewithherheaduponherarm.Andnowclosetoher，hiseyesgrowingusedtotheshadows，hesawherquiteplainly，thewonderofthepartedlips，thegleamofthewhitelimbsbeneaththeirflimsycovering.
Ofcourse，whatheoughttohavedonewastohaverisengentlyandmovedaway.Thenhecouldhavecoughed.Andifthatdidnotwakeherhemighthavetouchedherlightly，say，ontheshoulder，andhavecalledtoher，firstsoftly，thenalittlelouder，\"Mademoiselle，\"or\"Monenfant.\"Evenbetter，hemighthavestolenawayontiptoeandlefthertheresleeping.
Thisideadoesnotseemtohaveoccurredtohim.Onemakestheexcuseforhimthathewasbutthree—and—twenty，that，framedinthepurplemoonlight，sheseemedtohimthemostbeautifulcreaturehiseyeshadeverseen.Andthentherewasthebroodingmysteryofitall，thatatmosphereoffar—offprimevaltimesfromwhichtherootsoflifestilldrawtheirsap.OnetakesitheforgotthathewasFlightCommanderRaffleton，officerandgentleman;forgottheproperetiquetteapplyingtothecaseofladiesfoundsleepinguponlonelymoorswithoutachaperon.Greaterstill，thepossibilitythatheneverthoughtofanythingatall，but，justimpelledbyapowerbeyondhimself，bentdownandkissedher.
Notaplatonickissuponthebrow，notabrotherlykissuponthecheek，butakissfulluponthepartedlips，akissofworshipandamazement，suchasthatwithwhichAdaminallprobabilityawakenedEve.
Hereyesopened，and，justalittlesleepily，shelookedathim.
Therecouldhavebeennodoubtinhermindastowhathadhappened.
Hislipswerestillpressinghers.Butshedidnotseemintheleastsurprised，andmostcertainlynotangry.Raisingherselftoasittingposture，shesmiledandheldoutherhandthathemighthelpherup.And，aloneinthatvasttemple，star—roofedandmoon—
illumined，besidethatgrimgreyaltarofforgottenrites，handinhandtheystoodandlookedatoneanother.
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidCommanderRaffleton.\"I’mafraidIhavedisturbedyou.\"
HerememberedafterwardsthatinhisconfusionhehadspokentoherinEnglish.ButsheansweredhiminFrench，aquaint，old—fashionedFrenchsuchasonerarelyfindsbutinthepagesofoldmissals.Hewouldhavehadsomedifficultyintranslatingitliterally，butthemeaningofitwas，adaptedtoourmodernidiom：
\"Don’tmentionit.I’msogladyou’vecome.\"
Hegatheredshehadbeenexpectinghim.Hewasnotquitesurewhetherheoughtnottoapologiseforbeingapparentlyalittlelate.True，hehadnorecollectionofanysuchappointment.ButthenatthatparticularmomentCommanderRaffletonmaybesaidtohavehadnoconsciousnessofanythingbeyondjusthimselfandthewondrousotherbesidehim.Somewhereoutsidewasmoonlightandaworld;butallthatseemedunimportant.Itwasshewhobrokethesilence.
\"Howdidyougethere？\"sheasked.
Hedidnotmeantobeenigmatical.Hewaschieflyconcernedwithstillgazingather.
\"Iflewhere，\"heanswered.Hereyesopenedwideratthat，butwithinterest，notdoubt.
\"Whereareyourwings？\"sheasked.Shewasleaningsideways，tryingtogetaviewofhisback.
Helaughed.Itmadeherseemmorehuman，thatcuriosityabouthisback.
\"Overthere，\"heanswered.Shelooked，andforthefirsttimesawthegreatshimmeringsailsgleaminglikesilverunderthemoonlight.
Shemovedtowardsit，andhefollowed，noticingwithoutsurprisethattheheatherseemedtomakenosignofyieldingtothepressureofherwhitefeet.
Shehaltedalittleawayfromit，andhecameandstoodbesideher.
EventoCommanderRaffletonhimselfitlookedasifthegreatwingswerequivering，liketheoutstretchedpinionsofabirdpreeningitselfbeforeflight.
\"Isitalive？\"sheasked.
\"NottillIwhispertoit，\"heanswered.Hewaslosingalittleofhisfearofher.Sheturnedtohim.
\"Shallwego？\"sheasked.
Hestaredather.Shewasquiteserious，thatwasevident.Shewastoputherhandinhisandgoawaywithhim.Itwasallsettled.
Thatiswhyhehadcome.Toheritdidnotmatterwhere.Thatwashisaffair.Butwherehewentshewastogo.Thatwasquiteclearlytheprogrammeinhermind.
Tohiscredit，letitberecorded，hedidmakeaneffort.Againstalltheforcesofnature，againsthistwenty—threeyearsandtheredbloodpulsinginhisveins，againstthefumesofthemidsummermoonlightencompassinghimandthevoicesofthestars，againstthedemonsofpoetryandromanceandmysterychantingtheirwitches’
musicinhisears，againstthemarvelandthegloryofherasshestoodbesidehim，clothedinthepurpleofthenight，FlightCommanderRaffletonfoughtthegoodfightforcommonsense.
Youngpersonswho，scantilyclad，gotosleepontheheather，fivemilesfromthenearesthumanhabitation，aretobeavoidedbywell—brought—upyoungofficersofHisMajesty’sAerialService.Theincidenceoftheirbeinguncannilybeautifulandalluringshouldserveasanadditionalnoteofwarning.Thegirlhadhadarowwithhermotherandwantedtogetaway.Itwasthisinfernalmoonlightthatwaschieflyresponsible.Nowonderdogsbayedatit.Healmostfanciedhecouldhearonenow.Nice，respectable，wholesome—mindedthings，dogs.Nodamnedsentimentaboutthem.
Whatifhehadkissedher！Oneisnotboundforlifetoeverywomanonekisses.Notthefirsttimeshehadbeenkissed，unlessalltheyoungmeninBrittanywereblindorwhiteblooded.Allthispretendedinnocenceandsimplicity！Itwasjustputon.Ifnot，shemustbealunatic.Theproperthingtodowastosaygood—byewithalaughandajest，startuphismachineandbeofftoEngland——dearoldpractical，merryEngland，wherehecouldgetbreakfastandabath.
Itwasn’tafairfight;onefeelsit.PoorlittleprimCommonSense，withherdefiant，turned—upnoseandhershrillgiggleandherinnatevulgarity.Andagainstherthestillnessofthenight，andthemusicoftheages，andthebeatingofhisheart.
Soitallfelldownabouthisfeet，alittlecrumbleddustthatapassingbreathofwindseemedtoscatter，leavinghimhelpless，spellboundbythemagicofhereyes.
\"Whoareyou？\"heaskedher.
\"Malvina，\"sheansweredhim.\"Iamafairy.\"
III.HOWCOUSINCHRISTOPHERBECAMEMIXEDUPWITHIT.
Itdidjustoccurtohimthatmaybehehadnotmadethatdescentquiteassuccessfullyashehadthoughthehad;thatmaybehehadcomedownonhishead;thatinconsequencehehaddonewiththeexperiencesofFlightCommanderRaffletonandwasnowabouttoenteronanewandlesscircumscribedexistence.Ifso，thebeginning，toanadventuresomeyoungspirit，seemedpromising.ItwasMalvina’svoicethatrecalledhimfromthistrainofmusing.
\"Shallwego？\"sherepeated，andthistimethenoteinhervoicesuggestedcommandratherthanquestion.
Whynot？Whateverhadhappenedtohim，atwhateverplaneofexistencehewasnowarrived，themachineapparentlyhadfollowedhim.Mechanicallyhestarteditup.Thefamiliarwhiroftheenginebroughtbacktohimthepossibilityofhisbeingaliveintheordinaryacceptationoftheterm.ItalsosuggestedtohimthepracticaladvisabilityofinsistingthatMalvinashouldputonhissparecoat.Malvinabeingfivefeetthree，andthecoathavingbeenbuiltforamanofsixfeetone，theeffectunderordinarycircumstanceswouldhavebeencomic.WhatfinallyconvincedCommanderRaffletonthatMalvinareallywasafairywasthat，inthatcoat，withthecollarstandingupsomesixinchesaboveherhead，shelookedmorelikeonethanever.
Neitherofthemspoke.Somehowitdidnotseemtobeneeded.Hehelpedhertoclimbintoherseatandtuckedthecoataboutherfeet.Sheansweredbythesamesmilewithwhichshehadfirststretchedoutherhandtohim.Itwasjustasmileofendlesscontent，asifallhertroubleswerenowover.CommanderRaffletonsincerelyhopedtheywere.Amomentaryflashofintelligencesuggestedtohimthathiswerejustbeginning.
CommanderRaffleton’ssubconsciousselfitmusthavebeenthattookchargeofthemachine.Heseems，keepingafewmilesinland，tohavefollowedthelineofthecoasttoalittlesouthoftheHaguelighthouse.Thereaboutsheremembersdescendingforthepurposeofreplenishinghistank.Nothavinganticipatedapassenger，hehadfilledupbeforestartingwithasparesupplyofpetrol，anincidentthatwasfortunate.Malvinaappearstohavebeeninterestedinwatchingwhatsheprobablyregardedassomenovelbreedofdragonbeingnourishedfromtinsextricatedfromunderherfeet，buttohaveacceptedthis，togetherwithallotherdetailsoftheflight，asinthenaturalschemeofthings.Themonsterrefreshed，tugged，spurnedtheground，androseagainwitharoar;andthecreepingsearusheddown.
OnehasthenotionthatforFlightCommanderRaffleton，asfortherestofus，thereliesinwaittotesttheheartofhimtheuglyandthecommonplace.Solargeaportionoftheyearswillbeforhimabusinessofmeanhopesandfears，ofsordidstruggle，oflowcaresandvulgarfret.Butalsoonehastheconvictionthattherewillalwaysremainwithhim，tomakelifewonderful，thememoryofthatnightwhen，godlike，herodeuponthewindsofheavencrownedwiththegloryoftheworld’sdesire.Nowandagainheturnedhisheadtolookather，andstill，asever，hereyesansweredhimwiththatstrangedeepcontentthatseemedtowrapthembotharoundaswithagarmentofimmortality.Onegathersdimlysomethingofwhathefeltfromthelookthatwouldunconsciouslycomeintohiseyeswhenspeakingofthatenchantedjourney，fromthesuddendumbnesswithwhichthecommonplacewordswoulddieawayuponhislips.Wellforhimthathislesserselfkeptfirmholduponthewheelormaybeafewbrokenspars，tossinguponthewaves，wouldhavebeenallthatwaslefttotellofapromisingyoungaviatorwho，onasummernightofJune，hadthoughthecouldreachthestars.
Half—wayacrossthedawncameflamingupovertheNeedles，andlatertherestolefromeasttowestalong，lowlineofmist—enshroudedland.Onebyoneheadlandandcliff，flashingwithgold，roseoutofthesea，andthewhite—wingedgullsflewouttomeetthem.
Almostheexpectedthemtoturnintospirits，circlingroundMalvinawithcriesofwelcome.
Nearerandnearertheydrew，whilegraduallythemistroseupwardasthemoonlightgrewfainter.AndallatoncethesweepoftheChesilBankstoodoutbeforethem，withWeymouthshelteringbehindit.
Itmayhavebeenthebathing—machines，orthegasometerbeyondtherailwaystation，ortheflagabovetheRoyalHotel.Thecurtainsofthenightfellsuddenlyawayfromhim.Theworkadayworldcameknockingatthedoor.
Helookedathiswatch.Itwasalittleafterfour.Hehadwiredthematthecamptoexpecthiminthemorning.Theywouldbelookingoutforhim.BycontinuinghiscourseheandMalvinacouldbethereaboutbreakfast—time.Hecouldintroducehertothecolonel：\"Allowme，ColonelGoodyer，thefairyMalvina.\"ItwaseitherthatordroppingMalvinasomewherebetweenWeymouthandFarnborough.Hedecided，withoutmuchconsideration，thatthislattercoursewouldbepreferable.Butwhere？Whatwashetodowithher？TherewasAuntEmily.Hadn’tshesaidsomethingaboutwantingaFrenchgovernessforGeorgina？True，Malvina’sFrenchwasatrifleold—fashionedinform，butheraccentwascharming.Andasforsalary———TherepresenteditselfthethoughtofUncleFelixandthethreeelderboys.InstinctivelyhefeltthatMalvinawouldnotbeAuntEmily’sidea.Hisfather，hadthedearoldgentlemanbeenalive，wouldhavebeenasaferefuge.Theyhadalwaysunderstoodoneanother，heandhisfather.Buthismother！Hewasnotatallsure.Hevisualisedthescene：thedrawing—roomatChesterTerrace.Hismother’ssoft，rustlingentrance.Heraffectionatebutwell—bredgreeting.AndthenthedisconcertingsilencewithwhichshewouldawaithisexplanationofMalvina.Thefactthatshewasafairyhewouldprobablyomittomention.Facedbyhismother’sgold—rimmedpince—nez，hedidnotseehimselfinsistinguponthatdetail：\"AyoungladyIhappenedtofindasleeponamoorinBrittany.Andseeingitwasafinenight，andtherebeingjustroominthemachine.Andshe——ImeanI——well，hereweare.\"Therewouldfollowsuchapainfulsilence，andthentheraisingofthedelicatelyarchedeyebrows：\"Youmean，mydearlad，thatyouhaveallowedthis\"——therewouldbeaslighthesitationhere——\"thisyoungpersontoleaveherhome，herpeople，herfriendsandrelationsinBrittany，inordertoattachherselftoyou.MayIaskinwhatcapacity？\"
Forthatwaspreciselyhowitwouldlook，andnotonlytohismother.Supposebyamiracleitreallyrepresentedthefacts.
Supposethat，inspiteoftheoverwhelmingevidenceinherfavour——ofthenightandthemoonandthestars，andthefeelingthathadcometohimfromthemomenthehadkissedher——supposethat，inspiteofallthis，itturnedoutthatshewasn’tafairy.
SupposethatsuggestionofvulgarCommonSense，thatshewasjustalittleminxthathadrunawayfromhome，hadreallyhitthemark.
Supposeinquirieswerealreadyonfoot.Ahundredhorse—poweraeroplanedoesnotgoaboutunnoticed.Wasn’ttherealawaboutthissortofthing——somethingabout\"decoying\"and\"younggirls\"？
Hehadn’t\"decoyed\"her.Ifanything，itwastheotherwayabout.
Butwouldherconsentbeavaliddefence？Howoldwasshe？Thatwouldbethequestion.Inrealityhesupposedaboutathousandyearsorso.Possiblymore.Unfortunately，shedidn’tlookit.A
coldlysuspiciousmagistratewouldprobablyconsidersixteenamuchbetterguess.Quitepossiblyhewasgoingtogetintoadevilofamessoverthisbusiness.Hecastaglancebehindhim.Malvinarespondedwithherchangelesssmileofineffablecontent.Forthefirsttimeitcausedhimadistinctfeelingofirritation.
TheywerealmostoverWeymouthbythistime.Hecouldreadplainlytheadvertisementpostersoutsidethecinematheatrefacingtheesplanade：\"WilkinsandtheMermaid.ComicDrama.\"Therewasapictureoftheladycombingherhair;alsoofWilkins，astoutishgentlemaninstripedbathingcostume.
Thatmadimpulsethathadcometohimwiththefirstbreathofdawn，toshakethedwindlingworldfromhispinions，toplungeupwardtowardsthestarsnevertoreturn——hewishedtoHeavenhehadyieldedtoit.
AndthensuddenlythereleapttohimthethoughtofCousinChristopher.
DearoldCousinChristopher，fifty—eightandabachelor.Whyhaditnotoccurredtohimbefore？OutoftheskythereappearedtoCommanderRaffletonthevisionof\"CousinChristopher\"asaplump，rubicundangelinapanamahatandapepper—and—salttweedsuitholdingoutalifebelt.CousinChristopherwouldtaketoMalvinaassomemotherlyhentoanorphanedduckling.AfairydiscoveredasleepbesideoneoftheancientmenhirsofBrittany.Hisonlyfearwouldbethatyoumightwanttotakeherawaybeforehehadwrittenapaperabouther.HewouldbedownfromOxfordathiscottage.
CommanderRaffletoncouldnotforthemomentrememberthenameofthevillage.Itwouldcometohim.ItwasnorthwestofNewbury.
YoucrossedSalisburyPlainandmadestraightforMagdalenTower.
TheDownsreachedalmosttotheorchardgate.Therewasalevelstretchofswardnearlyhalfamilelong.ItseemedtoCommanderRaffletonthatCousinChristopherhadbeencreatedandcarefullypreservedbyProvidenceforthisparticularjob.
Hewasnolongerthemoonstruckyouthofthepreviousnight，onwhomphantasyandimaginationcouldplaywhatprankstheychose.Thatpartofhimthekeen，freshmorningairhaddrivenbackintoitscell.HewasCommanderRaffleton，aneagerandalertyoungengineerwithallhiswitsabouthim.Atthispointthathastoberemembered.DescendingonalonelyreachofshoreheproceededtoagaindisturbMalvinaforthepurposeofextractingtins.Heexpectedhispassengerwouldinbroaddaylightprovetobeapretty，childish—lookinggirl，somewhatdishevelled，with，maybe，atingeofblueaboutthenose，thenaturalresultofathree—hours’flightatfiftymilesanhour.Itwaswithastartlingreturnofhisoriginalsensationswhenfirstshehadcometolifebeneathhiskissthathehaltedafewfeetawayandstaredather.Thenightwasgone，andthesilence.Shestoodtherefacingthesunlight，cladinaBurberryovercoathalfadozensizestoolargeforher.Beyondherwasarowofbathing—machines，andbeyondthatagainagasometer.A
goodstrainhalfamileawaywasnoisilyshuntingtrucks.
Andyettheglamourwasaboutherstill;somethingindescribablebutquitepalpable——somethingoutofwhichshelookedatyouasfromanotherworld.
Hetookherprofferedhand，andsheleaptoutlightly.Shewasnotintheleastdishevelled.Itseemedasiftheairmustbeherproperelement.Shelookedabouther，interested，butnotcurious.
Herfirstthoughtwasforthemachine.
\"Poorthing！\"shesaid.\"Hemustbetired.\"
Thatfainttremoroffearthathadcometohimwhenbeneaththemenhir’sshadowhehadwatchedtheopeningofhereyes，returnedtohim.Itwasnotanunpleasantsensation.Ratheritaddedapiquancytotheirrelationship.Butitwasdistinctlyreal.Shewatchedthefeedingofthemonster;andthenhecameagainandstoodbesideherontheyellowsands.
\"England！\"heexplainedwithawaveofhishand.Onefanciesshehadtheimpressionthatitbelongedtohim.Graciouslysherepeatedthename.Andsomehow，asitfellfromherlips，itconjureduptoCommanderRaffletonalandofwonderandromance.
\"Ihaveheardofit，\"sheadded.\"IthinkIshalllikeit.\"
Heansweredthathehopedshewould.Hewasdeadlyseriousaboutit.Hepossessed，generallyspeaking，asenseofhumour;butforthemomentthismusthavedesertedhim.Hetoldherhewasgoingtoleaveherinthecareofawiseandlearnedmancalled\"CousinChristopher\";hisdescriptionnodoubtsuggestingtoMalvinaafriendlymagician.Hehimselfwouldhavetogoawayforalittlewhile，butwouldreturn.
ItdidnotseemtomattertoMalvina，theseminordetails.Itwasevident——theideainhermind——thathehadbeenappointedtoher.
Whetherasmasterorservantitwaslesseasytoconjecture：
probablyamixtureofboth，withpreferencetowardsthelatter.
Hementionedagainthathewouldnotbeawayforlongerthanhecouldhelp.Therewasnonecessityforthisrepetition.Shewasn’tdoubtingit.
Weymouthwithitsbathingmachinesanditsgasometerfadedaway.
KingRufuswasouta—huntingastheypassedovertheNewForest，andfromSalisburyPlain，astheylookeddown，thepixieswavedtheirhandsandlaughed.Later，theyheardtheclangoftheanvil，tellingthemtheywereintheneighbourhoodofWaylandSmith’scave;
andsoplaneddownsweetlyandwithoutajarjustbeyondCousinChristopher’sorchardgate.
Ashepherd’sboywaswhistlingsomewhereupontheDowns，andinthevalleyaploughmanhadjustharnessedhisteam;butthevillagewashiddenfromthembythesweepofthehills，andnootherbeingwasinsight.HehelpedMalvinaout，andleavingherseatedonafallenbranchbeneathawalnuttree，proceededcautiouslytowardsthehouse.Hefoundalittlemaidinthegarden.Shehadrunoutofthehouseonhearingthesoundofhispropellerandwasstaringupintothesky，sothatsheneversawhimuntilheputhishanduponhershoulder，andthenwasfortunatelytoofrightenedtoscream.Hegaveherhastyinstructions.ShewastoknockattheProfessor’sdoorandtellhimthathiscousin，CommanderRaffleton，wasthere，andwouldhecomedownatonce，byhimself，intotheorchard.
CommanderRaffletonwouldrathernotcomein.WouldtheProfessorcomedownatonceandspeaktoCommanderRaffletonintheorchard.
Shewentbackintothehouse，repeatingitalltoherself，alittlescared.
\"GoodGod！\"saidCousinChristopherfrombeneaththebedclothes.
\"Heisn’thurt，ishe？\"
Thelittlemaid，throughthejarofthedoor，thoughtnot.Anyhow，hedidn’tlookit.ButwouldtheProfessorkindlycomeatonce？
CommanderRaffletonwaswaitingforhim——intheorchard.
SoCousinChristopher，inbedroomslippers，withoutsocks，wearingamustard—coloureddressing—gownandablackskullcapuponhishead——
theverypictureofafriendlymagician——trottedhastilydownstairsandthroughthegarden，talkingtohimselfabout\"foolhardyboys\"
and\"knowingitwouldhappen\";andwasmuchrelievedtomeetyoungArthurRaffletoncomingtowardshim，evidentlysoundinwindandlimb.Andthenbegantowonderwhythedevilhehadbeenfrightenedoutofbedatsixo’clockinthemorningifnothingwasthematter.
Butsomethingclearlywas.BeforespeakingArthurRaffletonlookedcarefullyabouthiminamannersuggestiveofmystery，ifnotofcrime;andstillwithoutaword，takingCousinChristopherbythearm，ledthewaytothefartherendoftheorchard.Andthere，onafallenbranchbeneaththewalnuttree，CousinChristophersawapparentlyakhakicoat，withnothinginit，which，astheyapproachedit，roseup.
Butitdidnotriseveryhigh.Thebackofthecoatwastowardsthem.Itscollarstoodoutagainsttheskyline.Buttherewasn’tanyhead.Standingupright，itturnedround，andpeepingoutofitsfoldsCousinChristophersawachild’sface.Andthenlookingclosersawthatitwasn’tachild.Andthenwasn’tquitesurewhatitwas;sothatcomingtoasuddenhaltinfrontofit，CousinChristopherstaredatitwithroundwideeyes，andthenatFlightCommanderRaffleton.
ItwastoMalvinathatFlightCommanderRaffletonaddressedhimself.
\"This，\"hesaid，\"isProfessorLittlecherry，myCousinChristopher，aboutwhomItoldyou.\"
ItwasobviousthatMalvinaregardedtheProfessorasapersonofimportance.Evidentlyherintentionwastocurtsy，anoperationthat，hamperedbythosetrailingyardsofclingingkhaki，mightprove——soitflashedupontheProfessor——notonlydifficultbutdangerous.
\"Allowme，\"saidtheProfessor.
HisideawastohelpMalvinaoutofCommanderRaffleton’scoat，andMalvinawaspreparingtoassisthim.CommanderRaffletonwasonlyjustintime.
\"Idon’tthink，\"saidCommanderRaffleton.\"Ifyoudon’tmindI
thinkwe’dbetterleavethatforMrs.Muldoon.\"
TheProfessorletgothecoat.Malvinaappearedashadedisappointed.Oneopinesthatnotunreasonablyshemayhavethoughttomakeabetterimpressionwithoutit.Butasmilingacquiescenceinallarrangementsmadeforherwelfareseemstohavebeenoneofhercharms.
\"Perhaps，\"suggestedCommanderRaffletontoMalvinawhilerefasteningafewofthemoreimportantbuttons，\"ifyouwouldn’tmindexplainingyourselftomyCousinChristopherjustexactlywhoandwhatyouare——you’ddoitsomuchbetterthanIshould.\"（WhatCommanderRaffletonwassayingtohimselfwas：\"IfItellthedearoldJohnny，he’llthinkI’mpullinghisleg.Itwillsoundaltogetherdifferentthewayshewillputit.\"）\"You’resureyoudon’tmind？\"
Malvinahadn’ttheslightestobjection.Sheaccomplishedhercurtsy——orratheritlookedasifthecoatwerecurtsying——quitegracefully，andwithadignityonewouldnothaveexpectedfromit.
\"IamthefairyMalvina，\"sheexplainedtotheProfessor.\"Youmayhaveheardofme.IwasthefavouriteofHarbundia，QueenoftheWhiteLadiesofBrittany.Butthatwaslongago.\"
Thefriendlymagicianwasstaringatherwithapairofroundeyesthatinspiteoftheiramazementlookedkindlyandunderstanding.
TheyprobablyencouragedMalvinatocompletetheconfessionofhersadbriefhistory.
\"ItwaswhenKingHeremonruledoverIreland，\"shecontinued.\"I
didaveryfoolishandawickedthing，andwaspunishedforitbybeingcastoutfromthecompanionshipofmyfellows.Sincethen\"——thecoatmadetheslightestofpatheticgestures——\"Ihavewanderedalone.\"
Itoughttohavesoundedsoridiculoustothemboth;toldonEnglishsoilintheyearOneThousandNineHundredandFourteentoasmartyoungofficerofEngineersandanelderlyOxfordProfessor.Acrosstheroadthedoctor’soddmanwasopeninggaragedoors;anoisymilkcartwasclatteringthroughthevillagealittlelatefortheLondontrain;afaintodourofeggsandbaconcamewaftedthroughthegarden，mingledwiththescentoflavenderandpinks.ForCommanderRaffleton，maybe，therewasexcuse.Thisstory，sofarasithasgone，hastriedtomakethatclear.ButtheProfessor！HeoughttohaveexplodedinaburstofHomericlaughter，orelsetohaveshakenhisheadatherandwarnedherwherelittlegirlsgotowhodothissortofthing.
InsteadofwhichhestaredfromCommanderRaffletontoMalvina，andfromMalvinabacktoCommanderRaffletonwitheyessoastonishinglyroundthattheymighthavebeendrawnwithacompass.
\"Godblessmysoul！\"saidtheProfessor.\"Butthisismostextraordinary！\"
\"WasthereaKingHeremonofIreland？\"askedCommanderRaffleton.
TheProfessorwasawell—knownauthorityonthesematters.
\"OfcoursetherewasaKingHeremonofIreland，\"answeredtheProfessorquitepetulantly——asiftheCommanderhadwantedtoknowiftherehadeverbeenaJuliusCaesaroraNapoleon.\"AndsotherewasaQueenHarbundia.Malvinaisalwaysspokenofinconnectionwithher.\"
\"Whatdidshedo？\"inquiredCommanderRaffleton.TheybothofthemseemedtobeobliviousofMalvina’spresence.
\"Iforgetforthemoment，\"confessedtheprofessor.\"Imustlookitup.Something，ifIrememberrightly，inconnectionwiththedaughterofKingDancrat.HefoundedtheNormandynasty.WilliamtheConquerorandallthatlot.GoodLord！\"
\"WouldyoumindherstayingwithyouforatimeuntilIcanmakearrangements，\"suggestedCommanderRaffleton.\"I’dbeawfullyobligedifyouwould.\"
WhattheProfessor’sanswermighthavebeenhadhebeenallowedtoexercisesuchstockofwitsashepossessed，itisimpossibletosay.Ofcoursehewasinterested——excited，ifyouwill.Folklore，legend，tradition;thesehadbeenhislifelonghobbies.Apartfromanythingelse，hereatleastwasakindredspirit.Seemedtoknowathingortwo.Wherehadshelearnedit？MightnottherebesourcesunknowntotheProfessor？
Buttotakeherin！Toestablishherintheonlysparebedroom.Tointroduceher——aswhat？toEnglishvillagesociety.TothenewpeopleattheManorHouse.TothememberofParliamentwithhisinnocentyoungwifewhohadtakenthevicarageforthesummer.ToDawson，R.A.，andtheCalthorpes！
Hemight，hadhethoughtitworthhiswhile，havefoundsomerespectableFrenchfamilyandboardedherout.TherewasamanhehadknownforyearsatOxford，acabinetmaker;thewifeamostworthywoman.Hecouldhavegoneovertherefromtimetotime，hisnotebookinhispocket，andhaveinterviewedher.
Lefttohimself，hemighthavebehavedasasaneandrationalcitizen;orhemightnot.Therearerecordsfavouringthelatterpossibility.Thethingisnotcertain.Butasregardsthisparticularincidentinhiscareerhemustbeheldexonerated.Thedecisionwastakenoutofhishands.
ToMalvina，onfirstlandinginEngland，CommanderRaffletonhadstatedhisintentionofleavinghertemporarilyinthecareofthewiseandlearnedChristopher.ToMalvina，regardingtheCommanderasagiftfromthegods，thathadsettledthematter.ThewiseandlearnedChristopher，ofcourse，knewofthiscoming.Inallprobabilityitwashe——undertheguidanceofthegods——whohadarrangedthewholesequenceofevents.Thereremainedonlytotenderhimhergratitude.ShedidnotwaitfortheProfessor’sreply.Thecoatalittlehinderedherbut，ontheotherhand，addedperhapsanappealingtouchofitsown.TakingthewiseandlearnedChristopher’shandinbothherown，shekneltandkissedit.
AndinthatquaintarchaicFrenchofhers，thatlongstudyoftheChroniclesofFroissartenabledtheProfessortounderstand：
\"Ithankyou，\"shesaid，\"foryournoblecourtesyandhospitality.\"
Insomemysteriouswaythewholeaffairhadsuddenlybecomeimbuedwiththedignityofanhistoricalevent.TheProfessorhadthesuddenimpression——andindeeditneveraltogetherlefthimsolongasMalvinaremained——thathewasagreatandpowerfulpersonage.A
sisterpotentate;incidentally——though，ofcourse，inhighpoliticssuchpointsareimmaterial——themostbewilderinglybeautifulbeinghehadeverseen;hadgraciouslyconsentedtobecomehisguest.TheProfessor，withabowthatmighthavebeenacquiredatthecourtofKingRene，expressedhissenseofthehonourdonetohim.Whatelsecouldaself—respectingpotentatedo？Theincidentwasclosed.
FlightCommanderRaffletonseemstohavedonenothinginthedirectionofre—openingit.Onthecontrary，heappearstohaveusedthisprecisemomentforexplainingtotheProfessorhowabsolutelynecessaryitwasthatheshoulddepartforFarnboroughwithoutanothermoment’slossoftime.CommanderRaffletonaddedthathewould\"lookthembothupagain\"thefirstafternoonhecouldgetaway;andwassurethatiftheProfessorwouldgetMalvinatospeakslowly，hewouldsoonfindherFrencheasytounderstand.
ItdidoccurtotheProfessortoaskCommanderRaffletonwherehehadfoundMalvina——thatis，ifheremembered.Alsowhathewasgoingtodoabouther——thatis，ifhehappenedtoknow.CommanderRaffleton，regrettinghisgreatneedofhaste，explainedthathehadfoundMalvinaasleepbesideamenhirnotfarfromHuelgoat，inBrittany，andwasafraidthathehadwokeherup.Forfurtherparticulars，wouldtheProfessorkindlyapplytoMalvina？Forhimself，hewouldnever，hefeltsure，beabletothanktheprofessorsufficiently.
Inconclusion，andwithoutgivingfurtheropportunityfordiscussion，theCommanderseemstohaveshakenhisCousinChristopherbythehandwithmuchenthusiasm;andthentohaveturnedtoMalvina.Shedidnotmove，buthereyeswerefixedonhim.Andhecametoherslowly.Andwithoutawordhekissedherfulluponthelips.
\"Thatistwiceyouhavekissedme，\"saidMalvina——andacuriouslittlesmileplayedroundhermouth.\"ThethirdtimeIshallbecomeawoman.\"
IV.HOWITWASKEPTFROMMRS.ARLINGTON.
WhatsurprisedtheProfessorhimself，whenhecametothinkofit，wasthat，leftalonewithMalvina，andinspiteofallthecircumstances，hefeltneitherembarrassmentnorperplexity.Itwasasif，sofarastheytwowereconcerned，thewholethingwasquitesimple——almosthumorous.Itwouldbetheotherpeoplewhowouldhavetoworry.
Thelittleservingmaidwashoveringaboutthegarden.Shewasevidentlycuriousandtryingtogetapeep.Mrs.Muldoon’svoicecouldbeheardcallingtoherfromthekitchen.Therewasthisquestionofclothes.
\"Youhaven’tbroughtanythingwithyou？\"askedtheProfessor.\"I
mean，inthewayofafrockofanysort.\"
Malvina，withasmile，gavealittlegesture.Itimpliedthatalltherewasofherandhersstoodbeforehim.
\"Weshallhavetofindyousomething，\"saidtheProfessor.
\"Somethinginwhichyoucangoabout——\"
TheProfessorhadintendedtosay\"ourworld，\"buthesitated，notfeelingpositiveatthemomenttowhichhehimselfbelonged;
Malvina’sorMrs.Muldoon’s.Sohemadeit\"the\"worldinstead.
AnothergestureconveyedtohimthatMalvinawasentirelyinhishands.
\"Whatreallyhaveyougoton？\"askedtheProfessor.\"Imeanunderneath.Isitanythingpossible——foradayortwo？\"
NowCommanderRaffleton，forsomereasonofhisownnotatallcleartoMalvina，hadforbiddenthetakingoffofthecoat.Buthadsaidnothingaboutundoingit.SobywayofresponseMalvinaundidit.
UponwhichtheProfessor，toMalvina’ssurprise，actedpreciselyasCommanderRaffletonhaddone.Thatistosay，hehastilyre—closedthecoat，returningthebuttonstotheirbuttonholes.
ThefearmayhavecometoMalvinathatshewasdoomednevertoberidofCommanderRaffleton’scoat.