第1章

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.